Adiantum is the genus of the maidenhair ferns, about 200 species of which are found in temperature and tropical regions of both northern and southern hemispheres. They are distinctive, with finely cut leaves on rather brittle dark stems, and like plenty of moisture but with good drainage.

Adiantum venustum is a creeping form of this lovely fern from the Himalayas, which makes thick clumps of slender black stems, with pinnate fronds of rich green.