Spleenwort, ebony
Asplenium platyneuron
A twice-cut fern usually found in rocky woods in clumps of 2 or 3 plants. The dark brown stalks are shiny. The upright fertile leaves are 10 – 18” tall and have a ladder-like appearance. There is a prominent basal “ear” and the narrow, oblong leaflets are toothed. The shorter sterile leaves are recumbent, or even prostrate on the ground. The leaflets are more rounded and have less prominent ears and teeth. The fruit dots are elongate and relatively large.