This evergreen fern has a short creeping rhizome that is covered in dark red-brown scales and has erect to pendent foliage. The glossy dark green divided fronds have wedge-shape segments and the fertile fronds produce spores in summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Asplenium aethiopicum is naturally found in Australia from coastal New South Wales to Queensland, Victoria and south-west Western Australia growing as terrestrial in rock crevices commonly around cave entrances and in open forests. It is also found growing as an epiphyte on Casuarina decussata in south-west Western Australia. 

It prefers a semi-shaded to shaded wind protected position and grows in well-drained organic rich sandy to clay loam commonly over granite and is slightly drought tolerant but frost tender.

The Shredded Spleenwort is grown for its clumping habit and its semi-pendent lacy foliage. It is planted in small gardens along shaded rockeries and in protected gully settings. It is also used around ponds or creeks and grown as a specimen in a shade house. 

It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in 2-3 years. This small fern is also grown as an epiphyte or used in hanging baskets but is generally difficult to cultivate. ID 2886

Asplenium (a-SPLAY-nee-um) aethiopicum (ee-thee-OH-pik-um)

Dryopteridaceae (DRY-op-TER-ee-DAY-see-ee)