The Asplenium scolopendrium is a fern from the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae) and also commonly named heart’s tongue fern. The word "skolopenda" comes from Greek and means "centipede". That refers to the sori underneath the fronds (leaves) which resemble the legs of a centipede.
The Asplenium scolopendrium is native to Europe.
The fronds are shiny, undivided and strap-shaped. In spring new fronds emerge (unfurling as they grow). At first they are light green, but darken over time. Old fronds will die off and I remove them once they have turned brown.
On the underside of the fronds, spores are formed in sori. At first they are green and as they ripen, they will turn dark brown. The Asplenium scolopendrium spreads through those spores. The heart’s tongue fern forms a clump that slowly grows higher and wider. The Asplenium scolopendrium becomes about as wide as it is high.
The heart’s tongue fern does not like the sun. At first my heart’s tongue fern had a position with too much sun and did not do very well. Now I have placed it in full shade with a relatively moist, well-drained soil and sheltered against the wind and it looks beautiful. I come across seedlings, and they too grow in full shade. I always assume plants choose a new spot of their preference to grow in so that must be it for this fern. Frogs, toads and other animals and insects like to shelter underneath the fronds.
Attracts bees: no
Characteristic: evergreen
Exposure: shade
Flower colour: not applicable
Flowering time: not applicable
Foliage colour: green
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -30 ºC/-22 ºF
Height: 55 cm/22 inches
Soil: normal/moist