: It prefers very acidic, thin soil (pH 3.5–5.0) in exposed, often sunny rock fissures. Because it thrives in such hostile conditions where other plants cannot grow, it faces little competition from more aggressive species. Conservation Status
Bradley's spleenwort is a tufted perennial fern that grows in tight clusters. To identify it, look for these specific features: bradley's spleenwort
: The lower half of the stalk is a distinct shiny, reddish-brown or blackish color, while the upper half (the rachis) transitions to green. : It prefers very acidic, thin soil (pH 3
: It is found from New Jersey and Pennsylvania south to Georgia and Alabama, and west into the Ozarks of Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. To identify it, look for these specific features:
: Its fronds are relatively small, typically ranging from 4 to 20 cm (about 1.5 to 8 inches) in length.