[3] Asplenium ceterach is a perennial and evergreen fern species characterized by its compact size and robust, intricately divided fronds, measuring up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in length.

[5] Asplenium ceterach has a large Western and Central European distribution, where it is located in the countries of: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Crimea, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

[6] Within Asia Asplenium ceterach can be found within the countries of: Afghanistan, China, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Israel, Tadzhikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan.

[8] Asplenium ceterach exhibits polyploidy within the species with populations in different regions possessing various levels of diploid, tetraploid and hexapoloid forms.

[9] A global phylogeny of Asplenium published in 2020 divided the genus into eleven clades,[10] which were given informal names pending further taxonomic study.

[11] Members of the Phyllitis clade have undivided or pinnatifid leaf blades with a thick, leathery texture, persistent scales on their stalk, and often possess anastomosing veins.