318 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Distribution. Widely distributed in North America, from the Atlantic to 

 the Pacific coast, also found in Europe. Probably the most common fern in the 

 north, especially on the Pacific coast. 



Poisonous properties. This plant has been reported as being an anthelmintic 

 and also an astringent; it is suspected of being poisonous. 



Aspleniuni. L. Spleenwort 



Large or small ferns with entire, lobed, pinnate, leaves, 2-3 times pinnate 

 or pinnatifid, veins free; sori oblong or linear, oblique, straight or rarely 

 curved; indusium straight or curved. About 200 species of wide distribution, 

 several species cosmopolitan like A. Trichomanes. 



Asplenium Filix-foemma. (L.) Bernh. Common Spleenwort 



Fronds 1-3 feet high, ovate-oblong or broadly lanceolate, twice pinnate; 

 pinnules confluent on the secondary rachis, oblong and doubly serrate or pin- 

 nately incised; sori short. 



Distribution. Common in the north and especially in the dense woods, as 

 far south as Missouri. 



Fig. 122. Aspidium Pilix mas. Spore bearing leaf 1/6 

 natural size. a. A single segment showing the under side 

 x 10. After I<uerssen. 



