Description
Woodwardia – Chain Fern –
There are approximately 14-20 vigorous evergreen or deciduous terrestrial ferns in the Blechmaceae family. They natural occur in damp regions of Eurasia and North America. Most are large, often with spreading and arching, usually pinnate fronds with pinnatifid pinnae, unfurling red in spring and turn deep green as they mature. Bulbils may be produced toward the tips of the fronds or on the their upper surfaces. The chain-like arrangement of the sori on the undersides of the pinnae gives rise to the common name. Use to clothe a moist, shady bank, ideally near water.
Grow in neutral to slightly acidic, moderately fertile, damp soil in partial shade. Where marginally hardy, shelter from wind and protect in winter with a dry mulch. Divide in spring.
Prone to rust.
W. areolata – Lorinsaria areolata – Netted Chain Fern – This upright, clump forming, deciduous fern from Eastern North America grows 18” tall and wide. It produces upright, ovate-lance-shaped, mid green sterile fronds, 18” long. The erect, narrowly elliptic to oblong, thin , papery pinnae, are pinnate at the bases and pinnatifid at the tips, and have narrowly linear, scalloped or shallowly lobed segments. Require wet, acid conditions.
Zones 2-8
