a small fern, Cystoperis fragilis, with graceful lanceolate leaves, typically growing on limestone rocks and walls
Word origin
C19: named from the bladder-shaped indusium
bladder fern in American English
noun
any of several ferns of the genus Cystopteris, having pinnate leaves and growing in rocky areas
Word origin
[1820–30; so called from the bladderlike indusium]This word is first recorded in the period 1820–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: acetate, exogenous, insider, karma, tetrapod