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|genus=Asplenium
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Asplenium (Greek, not the spleen; referring to supposed medicinal properties). Polypodiaceae. A large, widely distributed genus of ferns, containing some 200 species. Some of them hardy, and many others grown in the greenhouse.
Aspleniums are distinguished by the free veins, and by the elongated sori covered by an indusium, which normally is attached to one side of a vein. The species here included under Asplenium, which have some of the sori curved across the subtending veinlets and certain differences in the internal structure of the st. are placed by many botanists in a separate genus, Athyrium; in the list below, Nos. 10, 25, 26, and 27 belong in this group.
Aspleniums enjoy an abundance of moisture at the roots, but they will turn brown in the winter months in an excessively moist atmosphere. They should be kept in a very- lightly shaded position. A good potting material consists of equal parts of rich soil and leaf-mold or peat. The following are some of the most useful commercial kinds: A. Belangeri, height 2½ feet; A. bulbiferum (including A. laxum), which grows quickly into a handsome specimen about 20 inches high, and seems to stand the hot, dry American summers better than other species; A. salicifolium; and A. viviparum, which is dwarf, compact, with lace-like fronds, and easily propagated. For hanging-baskets, A. flaccidum is best. The foregoing species and others of like habit develop small plantlets on the surface and edge of pinnae. As soon as these are sufficiently strong, they may be detached, with a small piece of old pinnae, and pricked into shallow pans, the older part being placed below ground to hold the young plant firmly in position until roots have formed. The best soil for this purpose is composed of equal parts of fresh garden soil, leaf-mold or fine peat, and sand. Plant very firmly, and place in a shady, moderately moist and close position, where in ten or fifteen days they will make roots. The foregoing ones do best in a temperature of 50° F A. cristatum is easily grown from spores, and is very useful for fern-dishes.
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