Abstract: The present paper aims at clarifying the identity of Asplenium varians Wall. and its related species for the forthcoming Flora of China vol. 4. Wide-spread in the northern, north-western and south-western parts of China and adjacent regions and growing in exposed rock crevices is the group of ferns in question, which has hitherto been taxonomically confused in the botanical literature. Many distinct and related species were previously identified as Aspl. varians, a most wide-spread fern with very variable fronds which may vary from 10 to 30 cm in height and from simply pinnate to fully bipinnate in the degree of pinnation in a single clump under different habitats.

Key words: Aspienium, Ser. Variantia, Aspienium varians