Ebony Spleenwort - Asplenium platyneuron
 
 
Ebony Spleenwort, scientifically known as Asplenium platyneuron, is a perennial fern native to North America. It typically grows in shaded, rocky habitats such as woodlands, cliffsides, and rocky slopes. The fern is characterized by its glossy, dark green fronds that are lance-shaped and taper to a point. Ebony Spleenwort does not produce flowers or seeds like flowering plants but reproduces via spores found on the undersides of its fronds. It is valued for its ornamental appeal in shaded gardens and naturalized landscapes. This fern species plays a role in stabilizing soil on rocky slopes and provides habitat for small wildlife.