FNPS Plant Database

Woodwardia areolata

netted chain fern
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

netted chain fern

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Woodwardia areolata

Family:

Blechnaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

Fern

Size:

1–1.5 ft, spreads broadly by rhisomes

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Spreads by rhizomes

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a groundcover in moist areas, rain gardens, or bioswales.

Considerations:

It grows best in drier areas if there is some shade. In full sun, it requires reliable moisture.

Availability:

Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Division.

Light:

Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Stays wet -to- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
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Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Provides cover for small wildlife such as toads.

Native Habitats:

Dome swamp, hydric hammock, seep slopes over limestone, hydric pine flatwoods

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This colony-forming fern is well-behaved in the landscape.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

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