Adiantum aleuticum

(Rupr.) Paris

Aleutian Maidenhair Fern

G5Secure Found in 214 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Caleb Catto, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Caleb Catto, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Reid Hardin, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Reid Hardin, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Timothy McNitt, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Timothy McNitt, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by W Rao, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
W Rao, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Ben Keen, CC0 1.0, via iNaturalist.
Ben Keen, CC0 1.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Noah How, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Noah How, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by carbapple, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
carbapple, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by wweellll, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
wweellll, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Jonathan Curley, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Jonathan Curley, CC BY 4.0
western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum). Photo by Deniz Wilson, CC0 1.0, via iNaturalist.
Deniz Wilson, CC0 1.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.151068
Element CodePPADI030Q0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumFilicinophyta
ClassFilicopsida
OrderFilicales
FamilyPteridaceae
GenusAdiantum
Other Common Names
Adiante des Aléoutiennes (FR) Aleutian Maidenhair (EN) Aleutian maidenhair (EN) Serpentine Maidenhair (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly included in Adiantum pedatum (under various names including A. pedatum var. aleuticum and A. pedatum var. calderi), but reproductively and morphologically isolated (C.A. Paris, Flora of North America, vol. 2, 1993). Accepted as a species by Kartesz (1994 checklist and 1999 floristic synthesis). Widespread but somewhat irregularly distributed in the American West, from Arizona, California, and Chihuahua north to Montana, Alberta, and Alaska; also occurring infrequently, primarily or exclusively on serpentine, in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. The true Adiantum pedatum (as presently interpreted) is eastern, ranging westward only to Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas (see maps in Flora North America, vol. 2, 1993).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-09-20
Change Date2023-09-20
Edition Date2023-09-20
Edition AuthorsGeoffrey Hall (1999), rev. C. Nordman (2023).
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Aleutian Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aleuticum) occurs in western North America, from the Aleutian Islands, and Pacific coastal Alaska, south to California, and Idaho, with disjunct locations in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, northern Mexico, northern New England, southern Quebec, and Newfoundland. It is estimated that there are more than 3000 occurrences.
Range Extent Comments
Aleutian Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aleuticum) occurs in western North America, in the United States and Canada, from the Aleutian Islands, and Pacific coastal Alaska, south to California, and Idaho, with disjunct locations in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, northern Mexico, and eastern North America, in northern New England, southern Quebec, and Newfoundland, Canada. It does not occur in Maryland. Range extent was estimated to be 14.2 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1992 and 2023 (Ackerfield 2015, GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, Knapp and Naczi 2021, Nelson and Legler 2023, Villaseñor 2016, Windham 1993).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1992 and 2023, it is estimated that there are more than 3000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Wooded ravines, shaded banks, talus slopes, serpentine barrens. and coastal headlands (uncommon in California, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska), it is disjunct in wet rock fissures at high elevations in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and northern Mexico, and it is disjunct on serpentine in Newfoundland, Quebec, Maine and Vermont. It occurs at 0 to 3200 m (10500 feet) elevation (Windham 1993).

Reproduction

Sporulating during summer and fall (Windham 1993).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandBare rock/talus/scree
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
Island of NewfoundlandS3Yes
QuebecSNRYes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
AlbertaS2Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaSNRYes
WyomingS1Yes
VermontS1Yes
ColoradoS1Yes
MichiganSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
West VirginiaSNRYes
NevadaS1Yes
MaineS1Yes
OregonS4Yes
UtahS2Yes
AlaskaS3Yes
IdahoSNRYes
MarylandSNRYes
MontanaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undetermined

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (214)
Alaska (56)
AreaForestAcres
Bay of PillarsTongass National Forest27,492
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
CalderTongass National Forest9,857
CastleTongass National Forest49,289
ChichagofTongass National Forest555,858
Chugach-13Chugach National Forest13,337
ClevelandTongass National Forest189,447
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
CrystalTongass National Forest18,972
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
DukeTongass National Forest45,091
El CapitanTongass National Forest26,693
EudoraTongass National Forest195,022
Freshwater BayTongass National Forest44,933
Game CreekTongass National Forest54,469
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
Green RocksTongass National Forest11,093
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Juneau-Skagway IcefieldTongass National Forest1,187,268
KartaTongass National Forest52,117
KekuTongass National Forest10,869
KogishTongass National Forest65,216
KosciuskoTongass National Forest64,134
LindenbergTongass National Forest25,855
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Middle KruzofTongass National Forest14,724
MontagueChugach National Forest204,875
MosmanTongass National Forest53,492
Neka BayTongass National Forest7,142
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North EtolinTongass National Forest40,993
North KruzofTongass National Forest33,146
North KupreanofTongass National Forest114,660
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
North WrangellTongass National Forest8,091
Pavlof-East PointTongass National Forest5,399
Point CravenTongass National Forest10,906
Port AlexanderTongass National Forest120,681
Prince William Sound Is.Chugach National Forest118,698
QuartzTongass National Forest143,003
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
SecurityTongass National Forest31,428
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
Sitka SoundTongass National Forest13,459
Sitka UrbanTongass National Forest112,003
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
South KupreanofTongass National Forest216,816
South RevillaTongass National Forest52,105
SpiresTongass National Forest533,746
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Thorne RiverTongass National Forest72,983
WhitestoneTongass National Forest5,638
Windham-Port HoughtonTongass National Forest161,952
California (52)
AreaForestAcres
Bell QuinbyShasta-Trinity National Forest11,556
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Castle Crags AShasta-Trinity National Forest113
Castle Crags BShasta-Trinity National Forest1,619
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest3,915
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Cub CreekLassen National Forest8,643
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
East GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest27,894
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
GriderKlamath National Forest10,647
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Indian CreekKlamath National Forest5,011
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
JohnsonKlamath National Forest10,652
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
KellySix Rivers National Forest5,195
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mill CreekLassen National Forest7,587
Monkey CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,017
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. EddyShasta-Trinity National Forest7,232
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest15,589
PacksaddleSix Rivers National Forest3,862
Polk SpringsLassen National Forest9,466
PortugueseKlamath National Forest18,915
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
Salt GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest6,511
ShacklefordKlamath National Forest1,679
Ship MountainSix Rivers National Forest11,936
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Siskiyou BSix Rivers National Forest18,871
Slate CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest6,636
Slide CreekSix Rivers National Forest11,458
SnoozerKlamath National Forest23,414
South KalmiopsisSix Rivers National Forest321
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest37,516
West YubaPlumas National Forest6,071
West YubaTahoe National Forest16,059
Idaho (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Montana (4)
AreaForestAcres
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Oregon (42)
AreaForestAcres
Bull Of The WoodsWillamette National Forest53
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Calf - Copeland CreekUmpqua National Forest15,696
Castle Rock AppendageUmpqua National Forest4,649
Chucksney MountainWillamette National Forest15,369
Cougar BluffUmpqua National Forest5,574
Drift CreekSiuslaw National Forest6,333
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
ElkhornWillamette National Forest9,380
FairviewUmpqua National Forest7,417
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
French Pete (b)Willamette National Forest1,186
Gold CreekWillamette National Forest1,364
Gordon MeadowsWillamette National Forest9,463
Hardesty MountainUmpqua National Forest2,597
Hardesty MountainWillamette National Forest3,754
Hebo 1aSiuslaw National Forest13,930
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
LakeMt. Hood National Forest1,327
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Limpy RockUmpqua National Forest6,782
Mclennon MountainWillamette National Forest8,085
Menagerie (rooster Rock)Willamette National Forest374
Mill Creek Watershed (OR)Umatilla National Forest7,820
Moose LakeWillamette National Forest5,013
Mt. HagenWillamette National Forest6,406
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
North KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests91,560
Opal CreekWillamette National Forest5,417
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Salmon - HuckleberryMt. Hood National Forest17,570
Shasta CostaSiskiyou National Forests14,420
Skimmerhorn AppendageUmpqua National Forest1,820
Smith UmpquaSiuslaw National Forest7,622
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests104,477
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Umpqua SpitSiuslaw National Forest2,090
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Waldo - MoolackWillamette National Forest1,183
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
Williams CreekUmpqua National Forest5,844
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (4)
AreaForestAcres
Box - Death HollowDixie National Forest3,175
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
Washington (51)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
BackboneGifford Pinchot National Forest1,201
Bear CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,980
Big Lava BedGifford Pinchot National Forest19,043
Blue LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest11,359
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
BourbonGifford Pinchot National Forest4,512
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Dixon MountainGifford Pinchot National Forest6,339
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Green MountainOlympic National Forest4,617
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Moonlight DomeOlympic National Forest4,919
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
Mt. ZionOlympic National Forest3,544
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Packwood LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest1,084
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest23,985
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
Rugged RidgeOlympic National Forest4,358
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Silver StarGifford Pinchot National Forest7,779
SiouxonGifford Pinchot National Forest12,773
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
Spencer RidgeGifford Pinchot National Forest5,880
StrawberryGifford Pinchot National Forest5,244
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
TumwaterGifford Pinchot National Forest8,676
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest22,496
Upper SkokomishOlympic National Forest9,311
References (8)
  1. Ackerfield, J. 2015. Flora of Colorado. Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth, TX. 818 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2023. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2023).
  3. iNaturalist. 2023. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2023).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. Knapp, W., and R.F.C. Naczi. 2021. Vascular Plants of Maryland, USA: A Comprehensive Account of the State's Botanical Diversity. The Smithsonian Institution. viii + 151 pp.
  6. Nelson, B.E. and B.S. Legler. 2023. Checklist of the Wyoming Flora. Rocky Mountain Herbarium, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. Online. Available: https://www.rockymountainherbarium.org/index.php/research/checklist (Accessed 2023).
  7. Villaseñor, J.L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 87: 559-902.
  8. Windham, M. D. 1993a. Pteridaceae. Pages 122-186 in Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editor. Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol. 2. Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.