FNPS Plant Database

Woodwardia areolata

netted chain fern

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

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:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

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

Coming Soon!

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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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.

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. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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