Occurrence
Hart’s-tongue fern is fern belonging to the Aspleniaceae family. It occurs in Asia, Europe, and the northern part of Africa. In Poland, it can be found in the Carpathian Mountains, the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, and the Sudetes, in the Myślibórz Gorge nature reserve, which is located in the “Chełmy” Landscape Park.
The structure, requirements and threats to the plant
The plant is characterized by large, up to 60 centimeters long, tongue-shaped, and undivided leaves. It can be found in dark, humid forests and often grows on limestone rocks. In Poland, it is under strict protection and has been classified as an endangered species. The main threat to the hart’s-tongue fern is digging it up and transplanting it to other locations. Due to its beautiful leaves, it is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.
