Woodwardia radicans

Woodwardia radicans
W. radicans, Graciosa
Close-up of sori
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Blechnaceae
Genus: Woodwardia
Species:
W. radicans
Binomial name
Woodwardia radicans
Synonyms[3]
  • Blechnum houttuynii Poir.
  • Blechnum radicans L.
  • Blechnum stans (Cav. ex Sm.) Poir.
  • Woodwardia stans Cav. ex Sm.

Woodwardia radicans, the chain fern,[4] European chain fern or rooting chainfern, is a species of fern in the family Blechnaceae, mainly found in Macaronesia and southwestern Europe, but is also found in southern Italy and Crete. Growing to 1.8 m (6 ft) tall by 2 m (7 ft) broad, it is evergreen with arching fronds. The pinnae have curved, finely-toothed segments. The plant derives its common name from the linked sori on the undersides of the fronds.[5][6]

The specific epithet radicans means "with stems that take root", referring to rooting plantlets appearing at the tips of the fronds.[7]

This plant is cultivated as an ornamental, and in the UK has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8][9] Unlike its hardier cousin Woodwardia unigemmata, it is prone to frost damage and requires protection in colder areas.[10]

  1. ^ Christenhusz, M., Bento Elias, R., Dyer, R., Ivanenko, Y., Rouhan, G., Rumsey, F. & Väre, H. (2017). "Woodwardia radicans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T162393A85426487. Retrieved 8 December 2020.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "International Plant Names Index (IPNI) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  5. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  6. ^ "Plants for a future (PFAF) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  7. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  8. ^ "Woodwardia radicans". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  9. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 108. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Woodwardia unigemmata". Architectural Plants. Retrieved 10 March 2019.