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

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 asplenium pinnatifidum

: It typically grows in small, dense clusters directly out of cracks in shaded, damp rock faces. Where to Find It The ( Asplenium pinnatifidum ) is a small,

( Asplenium rhizophyllum ): Contributes the long, tapering frond tips. It has also been documented in: Asplenium -

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