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Woodwardia radicans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Woodwardia radicans
W. radicans, Graciosa
Close-up of sori
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Blechnaceae
Genus: Woodwardia
Species:
W. radicans
Binomial name
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]

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

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  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.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "International Plant Names Index (IPNI) - Woodwardia radicans". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  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 17 March 2021.
  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.