Adiantum capillus-veneris, Linn. (A. Fergusonii, A. Mairisii, Moore). Fig. 123. Lvs. 2-3- pinnate, 6-20 in. long, 3-8 in. wide; lfts. nearly 1/2in. wide, more or less irregularly lobed, at the outer margin; sori 1-3 to each 1ft. with oblong or more or less elongate narrow indusia. Native southward, and widely distributed throughout the Old World.— Exists in many varieties, some of them deeply lobed, like A. Farleyense; a compact imbricated form is very effective.
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Adiantum capillus-veneris (Black Maidenhair Fern) is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum with a subcosmopolitan distribution, native to western and southern Europe, Africa, North America, Central America.
It grows to 20-70 cm tall, with very delicate, light green fronds much subdivided into pinnae 5-10 mm long and broad; the frond rachis is black and wiry.