  adiantum capillus-veneris, the southern maidenhair fern, black maidenhair fern, and venus hair fern, is a species of ferns in the genus adiantum with a subcosmopolitan worldwide distribution. it is cultivated as a popular garden fern and houseplant.wildflower.org-npin: adiantum capillus-veneris (southern maidenhair fern) . accessed 4.04.2011 ==distribution== adiantum capillus-veneris is native to the southern half of the united states from california to the atlantic coast, through mexico and central america, to south america. it is also native to eurasia, the levant in western asia, and australasia.the university of the west indies, cave hillcundall. p., (2004) native plants:the definitive guide to australian plants, global book publishing lane cove, n.s.w, p.298, isbn 978-1-74048-027-7 there are two disjunct occurrences in the northern part of north america: at cascade springs in the black hills of south dakota and fairmont hot springs, british columbia. in both instances, the warm microclimate created by hot mineral springs permits the growth of the plant far north of its normal range. it is found in temperate climates from warm-temperate to tropical, where the moisture content is high but not saturating, in the moist, well-drained sand, loam or limestone many habitats, including rainforests, shrub and woodlands, broadleaf and coniferous forests, and desert cliff seeps, and springs. it often may be seen growing on moist, sheltered and shaded sandstone or limestone formations, generally south-facing in the southern hemisphere, north-facing in the north, or in gorges. it occurs throughout africa in moist places by streams. on moist sandstone cliffs it grows in full or partial shade, even when unprotected. thumb|150px|left|adiantum capillus-veneris foliage texture. [[file:adiant
Adiantum Fern_species Garden_plants_of_Asia Garden_plants_of_Europe Garden_plants_of_North_America House_plants NatureServe_Secure_species Plants_described_in_1753 Plants_used_in_traditional_Native_American_medicine Pteridophyta_of_Asia Pteridophyta_of_Australasia Pteridophyta_of_Europe Pteridophyta_of_the_Americas