Asplenium
Botanical name:
Asplenium. Asplenium Filix-foemina (L.) Bern. Female Fern.—The rhizome of the female fern has been supposed to possess similar vermifuge properties to that of the male fern. At present, however, it is not used. The vulgar name of female fern is also given to the Pteris aquilina, or common brake, which is further said by some authors to have the property of destroying the tape worm. The leaves of two species of Asplenium, A. Trichomanes, L., or common spleenwort, and A. Adiantum-nigrum, L., or black spleenwort, are mucilaginous, and have been used as substitutes for maidenhair (Adiantum Capillus-Veneris L., and A. pedatum. L.) as pectorals, though destitute of their aromatic flavor.
