Asplenium scolopendrium

Asplenium scolopendrium or Deer tongue is a perennial fern, a relic of the Tertiary period. Asplenium scolopendrium (height 30-80 cm), has a short rhizome covered with scales at the top.

 

Leaves are whole, glabrous, leathery, dark green, which is unique among ferns, their width is 3-6 cm, length - 10-60 cm. Cuttings are shorter than the leaf blade.

 

On the lower surface of the leaves, along the lateral veins, sori are parallel to each other, covered with two veins. Their arrangement resembles the legs of a centipede, hence the specific name of the plant scolopendrium ("centipede").

Asplenium scolopendrium is distributed in Europe from southeastern Sweden to the Mediterranean, as well as in northern North America and Asia. A very rare species everywhere.

 

The species grows on moist shaded limestone rocks, on moist calcareous soils, sometimes peaty. Distributed in the mountain forest belt, less often in the subalpine, in coniferous, maple and beech forests, rises to the upper mountain belt. Asplenium scolopendrium is a shade-loving plant, if it grows in the sun, then, as a rule, it lags behind in development and has yellowish foliage. The species is frost-resistant.