Interactions
Human interactions: Although it is not known how it technically works, the fern is very useful to humans in many ways. It can be made into a tea to help relieve problems such as inflammation of the throat, kidney stones, liver problems, bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, menstrual problems, hair loss, promoting dark hair color, and others. It is also used to get rid of worms from the body. The Native Americans used Maidenhair to put on a wound to stop bleeding. It may have also been used by them to be applied to joints to relieve soreness or pain. The black stems from the maidenhair were used as a dye. The stems were also used in the making of baskets by the Native Americans.
Other information can be found on many different websites by searching yourself. Click here for one example of a website with medicinal purposes.
Pests- Maidenhair Ferns are not highly susceptible to sickness, but there are some pests that can infect the plant. Some of which are, aphids, which causes the fronds to curl up and turn black, mealy bugs (fluffy white insects which look like tiny pieces of cotton wool), caterpillars, spider mites, snails, and slugs. Problems are generally never too serious though for the plant. If the plant is in someone's garden or home, they would use pesticides usually to keep the plant safe from pests. Click here to learn more about and example of a pest, the Ramshorn Snail.
