Woodwardia
- Phonetic Spelling
- wood-WAR-dee-ah
- Description
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The chain ferns are members of the speenwort family (Aspleniaceae). The native range of these ferns spans warm temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus was named in honor of an English botanist, Thomas Jenkinson Woodward (1745–1820).
Two commonly cultivated species are native to North Carolina, netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata), and Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica), Both prefer partial to full shade, in organically rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soils.
Fossil records extend to the Paleocene epoch.
Chain ferns are suitable for woodland, native, rock, and children’s gardens. They may be used as specimens, groundcovers, accents or cover for wildlife.
Quick ID Hints:
- ferns are generally large in size
- fronds are monomorphic, large and coarse
- sori are long, narrow, arranged in two rows end to end in a chain-like pattern along the central vein, and have a flap-like indusia
- sori pattern is visible on both sides of foliage
- secondary veins of the leaf blade split and rejoin forming a netlike pattern.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Woodwardia
- Family:
- Aspleniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern Hemisphere
- Distribution:
- The genus is native to warm temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
- Wildlife Value:
- excellent ground cover
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Vase
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- This plant reproduces by spores.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Pinnatifid
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
