Ebony Spleenwort: A Native Fern Variety Worth Knowing
Meet Asplenium platyneuron var. bacculumrubrum, a special variety of the beloved ebony spleenwort that calls the southeastern United States home. While this particular variety might not be the most well-known member of the fern family, it represents an intriguing piece of our native botanical puzzle that deserves a closer look.
What Exactly Is This Fern?
This perennial fern belongs to the spleenwort family and represents a specific variety of the more commonly known ebony spleenwort. As a native species, it has been quietly thriving in the lower 48 states long before European settlement, making it a true American original. The var. bacculumrubrum designation indicates this is a distinct variety with its own unique characteristics that set it apart from the standard ebony spleenwort.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This native beauty has made itself at home across a impressive swath of the southeastern United States. You can find it naturally occurring in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. That’s quite a range for a plant that many gardeners have never heard of!
- Species observed
- No observations
The Mystery of the Uncommon Variety
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit mysterious. While we know this variety exists and where it grows, detailed information about its specific characteristics, growing requirements, and garden performance remains somewhat elusive. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means we’re dealing with a plant that hasn’t been extensively studied or commercialized like many of its more popular cousins.
Should You Consider This Fern for Your Garden?
The question of whether to include this particular variety in your garden comes with some important considerations:
- As a native species, it would theoretically fit well into naturalistic or woodland garden settings
- Its perennial nature means it would return year after year once established
- However, the lack of readily available information about its specific needs and characteristics makes it a bit of a wild card
- Finding plants or spores of this exact variety might prove challenging through typical nursery channels
A Word About Responsible Gardening
If you’re intrigued by this particular variety and want to try growing it, the key word is responsibility. Since specific information about its cultivation requirements and conservation status isn’t readily available, it’s crucial to:
- Source any plant material ethically and legally
- Never collect from wild populations
- Consider starting with the more common Asplenium platyneuron (regular ebony spleenwort) if you’re primarily interested in adding a native spleenwort to your garden
The Bottom Line
Asplenium platyneuron var. bacculumrubrum represents one of those fascinating botanical footnotes that reminds us how much diversity exists in our native plant communities. While it might not be the easiest fern to find or grow, it serves as a good reminder to appreciate the subtle variations that make our native flora so rich and complex. For most gardeners interested in native ferns, the standard ebony spleenwort might be a more practical starting point, but for the truly adventurous plant enthusiast, this variety offers an intriguing challenge worth investigating further.