spleenwort

Spleenwort refers to a large genus of ferns, primarily evergreen, belonging to the family Aspleniaceae. This family includes about 800 species, though some botanists consider them all to be part of a single genus, Asplenium.12

Key characteristics of spleenworts include their sporangia, which are typically found in lines along the veins and are covered by a protective flap called an indusium. The spores are generally bean-shaped. Some species, like the bird's nest ferns, are popular houseplants. The name "spleenwort" originates from an old belief that these ferns could cure disorders of the spleen. An example of a specific species is the green spleenwort (Asplenium viride), found in cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere.123