This widely distributed fern with subtropical affinities is present in all regions of Italy except in the Valle d'Aosta and perhaps in Lombardy. It grows in damp and shady sites in the crevices of the rocks, sometimes on stone walls, or rooting directly into the ground, in the undergrowth of thermophilic forests, especially oak woods, from sea level to the lower montane belt. The species sporadically occurs also on the edges of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with shaded and rocky sites. The genus name derives from the Greek 'a' (against) and 'splen' (spleen), for the ancient and unjustified use of A. ceterach against stones of the spleen; the species name comes from the Greek 'onos' (donkey) and 'pteris' (fern) and therefore means 'fern of the donkeys'. Sporulation period: May to August.

Italian name(s): Asplenio maggiore (Italia), Asplenio onopteris (Italia).