What is "walking fern"

Walking \Walk"ing\, a. & n. from Walk, v. Walking beam. See Beam, 10. Walking crane, a kind of traveling crane. See under Crane. Walking fern. (Bot.) See Walking leaf, below. Walking fish (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of Asiatic fishes of the genus Ophiocephalus, some of which, as Ophiocephalus marulius, become over four feet long. They have a special cavity over the gills lined with a membrane adapted to retain moisture to aid in respiration, and are thus able to travel considerable distances over the land at night, whence the name. They construct a curious nest for their young. Called also langya. Walking gentleman (Theater), an actor who usually fills subordinate parts which require a gentlemanly appearance but few words. [Cant] Walking lady (Theater), an actress who usually fills such parts as require only a ladylike appearance on the stage. Walking leaf.

1. (Bot.) A little American fern ( Camptosorus rhizophyllus); -- so called because the fronds taper into slender prolongations which often root at the apex, thus producing new plants.

2. (Zo["o]l.) A leaf insect. See under Leaf. Walking papers, or Walking ticket, an order to leave; dismissal, as from office; as, to get one's walking papers, i. e. to be dismissed or fired. [Colloq.] --Bartlett. Walking stick.

   1. A stick or staff carried in the hand for hand for support or amusement when walking; a cane.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) A stick insect; -- called also walking straw. See Illust. of Stick insect, under Stick.

      Walking wheel (Mach.), a prime mover consisting of a wheel driven by the weight of men or animals walking either in it or on it; a treadwheel.

n. Either of two species of fern in the genus ''Asplenium'' ((taxlink Asplenium rhizophyllum species noshow=1) or (taxlink Asplenium sibiricum species noshow=1)) that produces new plantlets from the tips of its leaves.

n. ferns having lanceolate fronds that root at the tip [syn: walking leaf, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Camptosorus rhizophyllus]

Walking fern may refer to two species of fern in the genus Asplenium which are occasionally placed in a separate genus Camptosorus. The name "walking fern" derives from the fact that new plantlets grow wherever the arching leaves of the parent touch the ground, creating a walking effect. Both have evergreen, undivided, slightly leathery leaves which are triangular and taper to a thin point. On the bottom of the leaves, sori, or spore-bearing structures, cluster along the veins. These hardy plants can be found in shady spots of limestone ledges and limy forest places.

• Asplenium rhizophyllum (syn: Camptosorus rhizophyllum), native to North America
• Asplenium ruprechtii (syn: Camptosorus sibiricus), native to East Asia

It may also refer to:

• Adiantum caudatum, a species of maidenhair fern