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]
| Woodwardia radicans | |
|---|---|
_at_Furna_do_Enxofre,_Caldeira,_Graciosa_Island,_Azores,_Portugal_(PPL1-Corrected)_julesvernex2.jpg)
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| W. radicans, Graciosa | |
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| Close-up of sori | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Aspleniineae |
| Family: | Blechnaceae |
| Genus: | Woodwardia |
| Species: | W. radicans
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| Binomial name | |
| Woodwardia radicans | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
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]
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References
edit- ^ 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) - ^ "International Plant Names Index (IPNI) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ "Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ^ "Plants for a future (PFAF) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ^ "Woodwardia radicans". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 108. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ "Woodwardia unigemmata". Architectural Plants. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
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