Netted chain fern
Woodwardia areolata

Family: Blechnaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

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.

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+).

Conservation Status: Least Concern.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

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. Provides shelter for frogs, toads, newts.

How it is grown

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. 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.

Propagating it: Propagate by spores or rhizome division.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Fern

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Netted chain fern

Synonyms

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