Mother spleenwort is a type of fern that belongs to the genus Asplenium. This fern is native to Europe and is commonly found growing in rocky areas, crevices, and walls. It is also known by several other common names including black spleenwort, rock spleenwort, and wall rue. Black spleenwort refers to its dark green foliage, while rock spleenwort and wall rue are due to its growth location. Other synonyms for mother spleenwort include holly fern, bird's nest fern and spleenwort. Holly fern refers to its resemblance to holly leaves, while bird's nest fern is due to the shape of its leaves resembling a bird's nest. Spleenwort refers to the plant's use in traditional medicine for ailments of the spleen.