The Adiantum pedatum, better known by its common name the Maiden Hair Fern, is a member of the order Polypodiales. (Plants.usda.gov, n.d.) Members of this taxonomic order are part of the largest modern fern order and are commonly referred to as “True Ferns”. They vary in habitat from small often flimsy structures to large tree-like plants. (Accessscience.com, n.d.) The Maiden Hair Fern is also a member of the taxonomic family Pteridaceae, members of this family are all sub-species of Maiden Hair 
Ferns. (Plants.usda.gov, n.d.) The Maiden Hair fern has a delicate look and colours range from light green to darkish-brown. (Pojar, MacKinnon & Alaback, 1994)
Location:
Adiantum pedatum can be found all across the USA and Canada. It is native to the Eastern coast primarily but has spread across the continent. (Wildflower.org, 2013) In the western coast it stretches rom Northern California to Southern Alaska placing a bulk of the fern in the temperate coastal regions of British Columbia. (Spackman, Anderson & Thomas, 2014)
Habitat:
This fern prefers rich and moist environments and they tend to be found in deciduous forests, often up to 700m of elevation, with wet banks, rocky outcrops, (Brubaker, 2014) and springs. (Wildflower.org, 2013) (Encyclopedia of Life, n.d.) This fern tends to prefer light or partial shading, and grow often in loose soil with a large amount of decaying leaf litter. (Perennials.com, 2012) It prefers high humidity and does not survive well in wind. (Encyclopedia of Life, n.d.) (Spackman, Anderson & Thomas, 2014)
Other Attributes:
The Adiantum pedatum has historically used by Aboriginal groups for it’s medical merits. It is still used widely for herbal medicinal uses and are also often found in private gardens. (Spackman, Anderson & Thomas, 2014) (Encyclopedia of Life, n.d.) Aboriginals used beds of Maiden Hair Fern fronds to dry berries and could often be used in the weaving of baskets. (Brubaker, 2014) The Maiden Hair Fern also provides shelter for lizards, toads and other small animals in some areas. (Wildflower.org, 2013)
Bibliography:
Accessscience.com,. Polypodiales – AccessScience from McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved 18 November 2014, from http://www.accessscience.com/content/polypodiales/536400
Brubaker, K. (2014). Drift Creek Nature Guide (1st ed., pp. 2-3). Drift Creek Camp. Retrieved from http://driftcreeknaturecenter.org/downloads/DCC_Nature_Guide.pdf
Encyclopedia of Life,. Descriptions and articles about the Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) – Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 18 November 2014, from http://eol.org/pages/597685/details
Perennials.com,. (2012). Plant Profile for Adiantum pedatum – Northern Maidenhair Fern Perennial. Retrieved 18 November 2014, from http://www.perennials.com/plants/adiantum-pedatum.html
Plants.usda.gov,. Plants Profile for Adiantum pedatum (northern maidenhair). Retrieved 18 November 2014, from http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=adpe
Pojar, J., MacKinnon, A., & Alaback, P. (1994). Plants of coastal British Columbia. Vancouver: Lone Pine Pub.
Spackman, S., Anderson, D., & Thomas, S. (2014). NatureServe Explorer Timeout Page. Explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 18 November 2014, from http://explorer.natureserve.org
Vitt, D., Marsh, J., & Bovey, R. (1988). Mosses, lichens & ferns of northwest North America. Edmonton, Alta.: Lone Pine.
Wildflower.org,. (2013). Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 18 November 2014, from http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ADPE
Written by James Blumhagen
Ring Creek Field Guide 