Also 6 splen(e)-, spleenewort, spleen-, 6–7 spleenewoort. [f. SPLEEN sb., after L. splēnion or asplēnon, a. Gr. σπληνίον, ἄσπληνον (also ἀσπλήνιος, -ον adj.), f. σπλήν spleen.]
1. a. One or other of various ferns belonging to the genus Asplenium; also, the genus itself.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, III. lxv. 406. Of brode or large Splenewort or Miltwast.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, II. cccclv. 979. Called … in English Spleenwoort, Miltwaste, Scale Ferne, and Stone Ferne.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 616. Spleen-wort giuen vnto sheep,… is the best remedy for this Malady.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 97/2. Spleenwort, hath divers stalks of leaves.
1711. Pope, Rape Lock, IV. 56. Safe past the Gnome thro’ this fantastic band, A branch of healing Spleenwort in his hand.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl. App., Spleen-wort,… called … in English more commonly milt-waste.
1862. Ansted, Channel Isl., 183. The varieties of Asplenium or spleenwort are very numerous and beautiful.
1885. Gerard, Waters of Hercules, viii. Between the stones … the maidenhair and spleenwort were beginning to peep.
pl. 1859. T. Moore, Brit. Ferns (1864), 59. The Spleenworts are called Asplenium by botanists.
† b. Hart’s-tongue; scolopendrium. Obs.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v. Jaundice, Boil therein an Handful of the Roots of Smallage … and wild Succory, with as much Harts-tongue or Spleenwort.
1796. Withering, Brit. Pl. (ed. 3), III. 766. Asplenium scolopendrium. Spleenwort or Harts-tongue.
c. With various distinguishing terms.
The number of varieties thus distinguished is very large: see also MAIDENHAIR 6 and SEA 23 f.
1796. Withering, Brit. Pl. (ed. 3), III. 768. Asplenium viride. Green-ribbed Spleenwort. Ibid., 770. A. lanceolatum. Spear-shaped Spleenwort.
1801. Charlotte Smith, Lett. Solit. Wand., II. 92. Having found here the white spleenwort in fructification.
1845–50. Mrs. Lincoln, Lect. Bot., App. 78/2. Asplenium ebenum (ebony spleen-wort).
1846–50. A. Wood, Class-bk. Bot., 630. Swamp Spleenwort…. Dwarf Spleenwort. Ibid., 631. Silvery Spleenwort.
1847. H. Miller, Test. Rocks (1857), 30. The minute forked spleenwort of Arthur Seat.
1862. Ansted, Channel Isl., II. viii. 183. Black spleenwort is as common in the islands as in England.
1865. Gosse, Land & Sea (1874), 333–4. Here the Marine Spleenwort grows out of the vertical fissures.
† 2. Rough spleenwort, a former name for various ferns (see quots.). Obs.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, II. cccclv. 978. Lonchitis aspera, Rough Spleenewort.
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, II. xlii. 262. Scolopendrium, or rough spleene-woort, called also harts-toongue.
1633. Gerarde’s Herbal, II. cccclxxi. 1140. Lonchitis aspera maior. Great rough Spleene-woort.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., App. 317. Spleen-wort, Rough, Lonchitis. Ibid. Spleenwort, Rough, Polypodium.
1777. Jacob, Catal. Plants, 61. Osmunda Spicant, Rough Spleenwort.
1785. Martyn, Lett. Bot., xxxii. (1794), 489. Rough Spleenwort [note, Osmunda Spicant] has lanceolate, pinnatifid fronds.
† 3. A pteroid fern, Lonchitis. Obs.
By some early botanists confused with Asplenium.
1579. Langham, Gard. Health, 616. Splenwort, or Lonchitis, is very good against the hardnes, stopping, and swelling of the milt.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, 979. Lonchitis Maranthæ, Bastard Spleenewort.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., Lonchitis, spleenwort,… the name of a genus of plants.
4. U.S. A species of cactus.
1846–50. A. Wood, Class-bk. Bot., 275. Cereus Phyllanthus.… Spleenwort…. Flowers white.
5. Comb., as spleenwort-leaved, -like adjs.
1753. Chambers, Cycl., Suppl. s.v. Filix, The spleenwort leaved … Portugal fern. Ibid., The spleenwort like … African fern.
1786. Abercrombie, Arr., in Gard. Assist., 30. Liquid-ambar,… Spleen wort-leaved.
1841. Penny Cycl., XXI. 229/2. S[enecio] hastatus, the spleenwort-leaved groundsel.
