Adiantum can be deciduous or evergreen ferns with shiny black stalks bearing simple or more usually pinnately divided fronds, the segments fan-shaped, oblong or rounded, carrying spores under reflexed marginal flaps
A. pedatum is a deciduous fern with a shortly creeping rhizome, forming a clump to 45cm tall. Wiry black stems bear branched, spreading fronds, sometimes deep pink when young