The Black Maidenhair Spleenwort is an exceedingly common Fern. It occurs in almost all parts of the United Kingdom, although, of course, near towns it is usually rooted up. The species is of very simple culture and will be quite happy on an ordinary rockery. The Black Maidenhair Spleenwort retains its fronds throughout the winter.
_Asplenium lanceolatum._ The specific name has reference to the fact that the outline of the frond is lanceolate. The Lanceolate Spleenwort.
This is a species which in its early days is sometimes confused with the Black Maidenhair Spleenwort. The fronds, which are lanceolate in outline and about four inches to a foot in length, arise from a tufted root-stock; the stipes is usually about a third of the frond. The colour of the stipes, and also part of the rachis, is bright brown, and this contrasts finely with the handsome green of the leafy portion. The actual length of the fronds will vary to a considerable extent, this depending upon the amount of moisture available. The design of the frond, when it is developed, shows by its lanceolate outline a marked feature which distinguishes it from the triangular outline to be seen in the case of the Black Maidenhair Fern. The frond is twice pinnate, and as a rule the pinnæ are opposite; these are roughly egg-shaped in form. The pinnules have serrated margins.
The sori are placed on veins which branch out from the mid-veins of the pinnules. At first the collections of sporangia are long and narrow, and covered with a white indusium. As the capsules mature the sori spread out over the under-surface of the frond.
The Lanceolate Spleenwort is usually met with near to the sea or in mountainous districts. It is rather local, although it sometimes occurs in great plenty on damp rocks. It is said not to occur in Scotland. In a suitable rocky corner there is no reason why the Lanceolate Spleenwort should not be grown in a garden. The situation should be well drained, but a sufficiency of water is needed. The Lanceolate Spleenwort remains green throughout the winter.
_Asplenium marinum._ The specific name _marinum_ has, of course, reference to the fact that the Fern is to be found near the sea. The Sea Spleenwort.