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Glite Dictionary
Asplenium rhizophyllum

Asplenium rhizophyllum

9.9
A fern with long narrow leaves that make roots at their tips and spread across rocks
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Asplenium rhizophyllum
  • The Asplenium rhizophyllum can spread across rocks by rooting at the tips of its fronds.

Examples

  • The Asplenium rhizophyllum thrives in shaded areas.

  • The unique growth habit of Asplenium rhizophyllum makes it popular among fern enthusiasts.

  • I found an Asplenium rhizophyllum while hiking in the Appalachian Mountains.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Asplenium rhizophyllum for its unique appearance.

  • I found an Asplenium rhizophyllum while hiking in the Appalachian Mountains.

  • The Asplenium rhizophyllum can spread across rocks by rooting at the tips of its fronds.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Asplenium rhizophyllum for its unique appearance.

Synonyms

walking fern
vsAsplenium rhizophyllum
  • Specialized
8.4

A fern with narrow leaves that grow roots at their tips to spread

is the formal scientific name rather than the common name
Camptosorus rhizophyllus
vsAsplenium rhizophyllum
  • Archaic
9.9

A fern called walking fern with long narrow leaves that root at the tips

is the current scientific name rather than the older one

Surface Forms

Asplenium rhizophyllum singular
Asplenium rhizophyllums plural

Morphology

Asplenium + rhizophyllum

Although 'Asplenium' names a fern genus (which signals a plant), the species epithet 'rhizophyllum' is not an English word and is technical Latin; its sense ('walking fern' that roots at the tip) is not transparently derivable by an average B1 learner even if they know 'Asplenium'. Scientific binomial names are referential and language-specific, so the specific species meaning cannot be predicted from the surface constituents.

Etymology

Asplenium rhizophyllum is a fern often called the walking fern because its long, narrow leaves make roots at the tip and form new plants. So the plant seems to 'walk' across rocks and soil, and that image helps you remember the name.