Distinguishing it from its parents requires a close look at the fronds:

: It remains green year-round, making it easier to spot on rocky outcrops during the winter months.

While nowhere is it "common," the Lobed Spleenwort is most prevalent in the Appalachian region . It has also been documented in: Asplenium - In Defense of Plants

: Unlike the Walking Fern, which has smooth-edged (entire) leaves, the Lobed Spleenwort has distinct lobes along the entire length of its frond.

: Its fronds narrow into a long, slender point, a trait inherited from the Walking Fern.