Canadian maidenhair, common maidenhair

Canadian maidenhair fern is considered the loveliest fern in Québec, and is one of the most highly prized by gardeners. It was also one of the first plants in North America to be catalogued. In French colonial times, maidenhair fern was used to treat pulmonary disease, and was sold for that purpose. In some regions, asbestos mining creates conditions that are just right for the Aleutian variety, which grows on serpentine. The chrysotile from which the asbestos fibres are extracted is a form of serpentine.