Asplenium Pinnatifidum -

The ( Asplenium pinnatifidum ) is a small, evergreen fern that primarily inhabits the crevices of non-calcareous rocks, such as sandstone and shale, across the Appalachian Mountains and into the Midwest. Often overlooked by casual hikers, this rare plant is a fascinating example of evolutionary biology in action, representing a stable, fertile hybrid species. A Hybrid Origin

( Asplenium montanum ): Contributes the deeply lobed leaf structure. asplenium pinnatifidum

While nowhere is it "common," the Lobed Spleenwort is most prevalent in the Appalachian region . It has also been documented in: Asplenium - In Defense of Plants The ( Asplenium pinnatifidum ) is a small,

Unlike many hybrids that are sterile, Asplenium pinnatifidum is a fertile . It originated from a natural cross between two other ferns: While nowhere is it "common," the Lobed Spleenwort

: Its fronds narrow into a long, slender point, a trait inherited from the Walking Fern.

( Asplenium rhizophyllum ): Contributes the long, tapering frond tips.