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| | Spleenwort |
 | | The name (both common name and scientific name), derives from an old belief, based on the doctrine of signatures, that the fern was useful for ailments of the spleen, due to the spleen-shaped sori on the backs of the fronds ( wort is an ancient name that simply means plant). |
 | | The bird's-nest fern, Asplenium nidus, is commonly found for sale as a house plant, as is the closely-related Asplenium antiquum. |
 | | The mother fern, Asplenium bulbiferum, is sometimes available at greenhouses, and is of interest, along with the related Asplenium viviparum, for the many small bulblets borne on the fronds that may grow into new plants. |
| www.brainyencyclopedia.com /encyclopedia/s/sp/spleenwort.html (232 words) |
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