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Woodwardia radicans
  • Chain Fern

an evergreen member of the Woodwardia genus in the family Blechnaceae.

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Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Woodwardia radicans has 0 material uses listed
Woodwardia radicans has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[1]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Woodwardia radicans.

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[3]. The dried fronds and stems have been used in making baskets[4].

Unknown part

Basketry

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Anthelmintic, astringent[5]. A decoction of the roots has been used both internally and externally in the treatment of pain from injuries[4].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Anthelmintic
Astringent

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though they can also be sown in the spring. Sow them on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position.

Plants produce a plantlet at the tips of each frond. These can be detached from the parent plant and rooted in humid conditions in a frame or the fronds can be anchored down and the plantlet allowed to root in situ[1].

Division in spring[6].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Woodwardia radicans. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a neutral to acid humus-rich soil[1]. Prefers growing in wet conditions, especially near running water[1]. Grows best in semi-shade[6].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, once established it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[1][7] and succeeds outdoors in the milder areas[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].

A very ornamental plant[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Woodwardia radicans. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Woodwardia radicans.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Woodwardia radicans
Genus
Woodwardia
Family
Blechnaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[5][4]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4]
Botanic
[10][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.8 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Woodwardia_radicans.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Woodwardia_radicans.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Woodwardia_radicans.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Woodwardia_radicans.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    "image:Woodwardia_radicans.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    6. ? 6.06.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

    "image:Woodwardia_radicans.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Woodwardia_radicans&oldid=81798"
    Facts about "Woodwardia radicans"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBlechnaceae +
    Belongs to genusWoodwardia +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameWoodwardia radicans +
    Has common nameChain Fern +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has imageWoodwardia radicans.jpg +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +
    Has mature height1.8 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Anthelmintic + and Astringent +
    Has primary imageWoodwardia_radicans.jpg +
    Has search namewoodwardia radicans + and chain fern +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameWoodwardia radicans +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Woodwardia radicans +, Woodwardia radicans +, Woodwardia radicans + and Woodwardia radicans +