Discovering His Creation: Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)

Ebony Spleenwort Ferns (Asplenium plantyneuron) are scattered throughout my yard and the surrounding woods where I live. The one in these photos came up on it's own but in a good location. Growing up here I never had any idea ferns had different names. I just thought they were all ferns and only recently am I discovering the names of what is in my yard. Ebony Spleenwort is native to much of the United States, some of Canada, tropical Africa and the West Indies. When first researching I thought this might have been Christmas fern (Polystichum arostichoides) but one easy way to tell them apart is by the stems. The stems on the Christmas fern are green and Ebony Slpeenwort are a dark reddish brown. The spores are produced in the summer time. They are found on the underside of the leaf and are dark brown when mature. In the past this plant was used medicinally and the common name Spleenwort refers to the medicinal value once attributed to it. The sori (spores) on the underside of the leaves are in the shape of a spleen. If plants had parts or the whole plant itself were in the shape of a human organ then it was thought to benefit that part of the body in the past. Interesting but if any of that reasoning is true or not I don't know. As for this plant being presently used medicinally I haven't found any references and none saying it to be toxic or non-toxic. There are ferns that are known to be toxic to humans and animals so I would put this one in that category for now. More information needed on this plant. I hope you'll take time to discover the Creator and to discover His creation where you are.