Parque Nacional Garajonay

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum capilluis veneris)

A fern of the family of the Adiantaceae, with delicate leaves  subdivided up to three times, achieving a variable length of between 3 and 60 cms, in the shape of a little fan. They occupy moist areas or those with water oozing in the low areas of woodland, and may be present at lower heights. They reproduce by spores which arise from sporophytes situated  at the edge of the small fronds. It is widely cultivated in gardening. Infusions are used as an emenagogous and pectoral medicine.