Rustyback fern (medicinal)

Family Aspleniaceae. Terrestrial herbs with a short, straight, scaly rhizome and thick, lanceolate in outline, pinnately lobed or pinnately dissected leaves, dull green above and entirely covered beneath with overlapping scales.

Sori linear without an indusium, located on one side of the vein. Within the territory of the former USSR there is only one species. The same species is fairly widespread beyond it. It grows in various geographic zones — from Western Europe, in the Alps, and is also found in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2,500 m above sea level, and in the Caucasus.

Habitat: prefers sunny locations, rock crevices. However, in cultivation it requires moderate but consistent moisture and protection from scorching sun. It looks attractive in rock fissures and in gaps between stones.

Soil: planted on a limestone substrate.

Care: hardy under snow cover, but for winter it is recommended to provide a light covering, preferably with conifer branches. Without cover it sometimes freezes out in dry winters.

Propagation: by spores or by dividing old rhizomes in spring. In the midlands the plants do well but practically do not spread.

Usage: this species is very undemanding and adorns rock gardens. The plant is placed where its decorative green leaves will beautify the landscape year-round. It is also grown in mini rock gardens. Of course, this exotic plant cannot be widely recommended for general cultivation, but when creating formal, well-lit rockeries it is the only fern that can be used there. Used medicinally.