Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Woodwardia radicans is an evergreen Fern growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Blechnum radicans L.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne Anthelmintic Astringent

Anthelmintic, astringent[178]. A decoction of the roots has been used both internally and externally in the treatment of pain from injuries[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Basketry

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208]. The dried fronds and stems have been used in making baskets[257].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a neutral to acid humus-rich soil[200]. Prefers growing in wet conditions, especially near running water[200]. Grows best in semi-shade[188]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, once established it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[200, 260] and succeeds outdoors in the milder areas[208]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant 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[200]. Division in spring[188].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Italy (incl. Sicily), Spain, Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Azores), Algeria

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Woodwardia areolata	Netted chain fern	Fern	0.3	4-9	M	LMH	S	MWe	0	0	3
Woodwardia virginica	Virginia Chain Fern	Fern	0.4	3-10	M	LMH	S	MWe	0	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Woodwardia radicans - (L.)Sm.