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Woodwardia virginica - (L.) Sm.

Common Name Virginia Chain Fern
Family Blechnaceae
USDA hardiness 3-10
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Grows in anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), bogs, marshes, swamps, and wetland margins (New England Wild Flower Society 2011-2015). Wet soils of open wet swampy woods, acid bogs, and along streams and roadside ditches, avoiding calcareous substrates.An important constituent of the field layer of flatwoods, Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamp forest and bay (Magnolia virginiana) forests.
Range Endemic to eastern North America from Florida to Nova Scotia and west to Michigan and Illinois.
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 virginica Virginia Chain Fern


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Woodwardia virginica Virginia Chain Fern
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
Woodwardia virginica is a deciduous Fern growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. 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

Anchistea virginica (L.) C. Presl. Blechnum virginicum L.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None Known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Groundcover. A good 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 Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern). For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. 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

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Propagate by spores or rhizome division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Virginia 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 areolataNetted chain fernFern0.3 4-9 MLMHSMWe003
Woodwardia radicansChain Fern, Rooting chainfernFern1.8 8-11  LMHSMWe012

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.) Sm.

Botanical References

Links / References

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