Woodwardia radicans

Woodwardia radicans, the chain fern,[2] European chain fern or rooting chainfern, is a species of fern in the family Blechnaceae, native to the Atlantic islands and southwestern Europe. 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.[3][4]

Woodwardia radicans
W. radicans, La Palma
Close-up of sori
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Blechnaceae
Genus: Woodwardia
Species:
W. radicans
Binomial name
Woodwardia radicans

The specific epithet radicans means "with stems that take root", referring to rooting plantlets appearing at the tips of the fronds.[5]

This plant is cultivated as an ornamental, and in the UK has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6][7] Unlike its hardier cousin Woodwardia unigemmata, it is prone to frost damage and requires protection in colder areas.[8]

References
  1. "International Plant Names Index (IPNI) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  2. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. "Plants for a future (PFAF) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  5. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  6. "Woodwardia radicans". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 108. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  8. "Woodwardia unigemmata". Architectural Plants. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
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