Adiantum capillus-veneris is a species of ferns in the genus Adiantum Fern which they all are belong to Pteridaceae Family (Syn. Adiantum capillus, Adiantum michelii, Adiantum modestum, Adiantum schaffneri)

Genus name of Adiantum means unwetted because their foliages repel water. Specific epithet comes from Latin meaning hair “capillus” of Venus “veneris” as reflected by the sometimes used common name of Venus Maidenhair Fern for this species.

Adiantum capillus-veneris is native throughout the world in tropical to temperate regions including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It can be found at the moist, well-drained sandy, loamy or lime stones habitats, including rainforests.

Southern Maidenhair Fern is a deciduous, clumping fern with a drooping habit that grows up to 25-30 cm tall and slowly spreads by short creeping rhizomes. It features bipinnate to tripinnate fronds with wiry, black stems that are distinctively arching to pendent. Small pinnae, each 5-15 mm long, are fan shaped. Spores appear in summer on the reflexed pinnae under margins.

Adiantum capillus-veneris is fairly drought-tolerant, receding into summer dormancy if it dries out. If it goes dormant, stems should be trimmed, kept moist and placed in a shady protected spot to encourage new growth. It withstands -25˚C.

Southern Maidenhair Fern has a long history of medicinal use and was the main ingredient of a popular cough syrup called ‘Capillaire’, which remained in use until the nineteenth century. This plant is used medicinally by Native Americans but is little used in modern herbalism. The fresh or dried leafy fronds are antidandruff, antitussive, astringent, emetic, expectorant, galactogogue, laxative, stimulant. Externally, it is used as a poultice on snake bites, bee and insect stings.

Use in landscape: Adiantum capillus-veneris is suitable for growing outdoors in mild climates, or indoors in colder regions. As a popular garden fern and house plant is cultivated and widely available around the world. It is a choice species for the woodland garden, and traditional shade gardens. It is a demure plant that tends to seek shelter under or behind other plants. Its leaves are delicate and fan-shaped, creating a lacy effect. Also commonly used as an indoor houseplant.