Woodwardia radicans

Woodwardia radicans, the chain fern,[3] 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.[4][5]

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.[6]

This plant is cultivated as an ornamental, and in the UK has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7][8] Unlike its hardier cousin Woodwardia unigemmata, it is prone to frost damage and requires protection in colder areas.[9]

References
  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.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "International Plant Names Index (IPNI) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  5. "Plants for a future (PFAF) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  6. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  7. "Woodwardia radicans". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  8. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 108. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  9. "Woodwardia unigemmata". Architectural Plants. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.