spleenwort

American  

[spleen-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈsplinˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of various temperate and tropical ferns of the genera Asplenium and Diplazium, certain species of which are grown as ornamentals.

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spleenwort British  

/ ˈspliːnˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of various ferns of the genus Asplenium, esp A. trichomanes, that often grows on walls, having linear or oblong sori on the undersurface of the fronds See also asplenium

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Etymology

Origin of spleenwort

First recorded in 1570–80; spleen + wort ²

Example Sentences

Plant maidenhair spleenwort in a container, where you can appreciate its beauty up close.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2023

Sea spleenwort and masses of 113 samphire grew on the cliffs to his right.

From Antony Gray,—Gardener by Moore, Leslie

I want to show you a strange sort of spleenwort that I gathered this morning.'

From Born in Exile by Gissing, George

This rare and delicate little plant bears a rather close resemblance to the maidenhair spleenwort, which, however, has dark stipes instead of green.

From The Fern Lover's Companion A Guide for the Northeastern States and Canada by Tilton, George Henry

"That is Hart's Tongue, you know—that is wall spleenwort, and that is the other kind; handsome things are they not?"

From The Old Helmet, Volume II by Warner, Susan