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Native Plant Database

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Woodwardia areolata (Netted chainfern)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Woodwardia areolata (L.) T. Moore

Netted chainfern, Chain fern, Netted chain fern

Blechnaceae (Chain fern Family)

Synonyms: Lorinseria areolata

USDA Symbol: woar

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Netted chain fern is a deciduous, colony-forming, waxy green fern which stands 1-2 ft. high and has fronds 4-8 in. wide. The sterile fronds are deeply lobed, and the veins in the leaf form a net-like pattern. The fertile fronds are similar but reduced in width. The entire plant maintains a neat, compact form. Fiddleheads are bronzy and appear in early spring.

Netted chain fern is a well-mannered fern, providing a ground cover for wet, shady places. It colonizes by shallow, slender, brown rhizomes.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: 12 to 30 inches high
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Canada: NS
Native Distribution: N.S. through MI & s. IL to MO, s. to FL & TX, Zones 5 to 9
Native Habitat: Swamps, Marshes, Still water edges, Moist woods, Floodplains
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium , High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Wet, acid soils. Acid-based, Calcareous, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay. Tolerates brackish soils.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Water garden, bog, or pond area
Use Wildlife: Provides shelter for frogs, toads, newts.
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Propagate by spores or rhizome division.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Woodwardia areolata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Woodwardia areolata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Woodwardia areolata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-04-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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