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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Woodwardia fimbriata

Woodwardia fimbriata Sm.

Giant Chainfern, Giant Chain Fern

Blechnaceae (Chain fern Family)

Synonym(s): Woodwardia chamissoi

USDA Symbol: wofi

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The plume-like fronds, several per crown, of this giant chain fern may attain 8 ft. in length. The bipinnate frond segments are coarse and large, lacking the delicacy of smaller ferns, but persisting in excellent condition until new fronds have uncoiled. The "chain" of worm-like sori on the underside of the frond give the plant its name.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate
Size Notes: Fronds up to about 8 feet long.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: S. B.C. to s. CA, mostly near the coast; irregularly inland to AZ & s. NV
Native Habitat: Springy & boggy places; stream banks

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Old fronds of chain fern should be cut off as new ones occur. Sporelings are produced rather freely in wet areas. These may be transplanted when young.

Propagation

Description: Does well from spores.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACW FACW
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-06-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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