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Woodwardia areolata - (L.) T. Moore

Common Name Netted chain fern
Family Blechnaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Found in acidic bogs, seeps, wet woods, meadows and fields, swamps, wetland margins; but rarely on rock of siliceous cliffs and ledges on northern edge of range.
Range Eastern and southern North America from Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Florida and Texas, USA. It is is most abundant on the coastal plain of the eastern United States, scattered in the Ouachita and Boston mountains, Ozark and Cumberland plateaus, and the Piedmont, but not in the high Appalachians, the heavy gumbo soils of the Mississippi Valley, or the limestone regions of the Interior Low Plateaus (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993+).
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade
Woodwardia areolata Netted chain fern


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Woodwardia areolata Netted chain fern
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
Woodwardia areolata is a deciduous Fern growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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

Acrostichum areolatum L. Lorinseria areolata (L.) C. Presl

Plant Habitats

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Groundcover. A medium to high density groundcover that will work in a wet and shady spot. Garden Uses: Shade gardens, native plant gardens, woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Also effective along streams and ponds [368-1]. Provides shelter for frogs, toads, newts.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A deciduous, perennial, colony-forming, waxy green, deciduous fern. Prefers organically rich, medium to wet, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Does well in average garden soils and will take considerable sun as long as soils are kept consistently moist[368-1]. Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8). Typically occurs in woodland swamps and bogs. Bloom Time: Non-flowering. Bloom Description: Non-flowering. Can be mistaken for Onoclea sensibilis. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Propagate by spores or rhizome division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Netted chain fern

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Woodwardia radicansChain Fern, Rooting chainfernFern1.8 8-11  LMHSMWe012
Woodwardia virginicaVirginia Chain FernFern0.4 3-10 MLMHSMWe003

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.

 

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Author

(L.) T. Moore

Botanical References

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