Plantae > Tracheophyta > Polypodiopsida > Polypodiales > Blechnaceae > Woodwardia > Woodwardia radicansWoodwardia radicans (rooting chainfern)Synonyms: Blechnum houttuynii; Blechnum radicans (homotypic); Blechnum stans; Woodwardia stans Woodwardia radicans (common names chain fern, European chain fern and rooting chainfern) is a species of fern in the family Blechnaceae, native to the Atlantic islands and southwestern Europe. Growing to 1.8 m (6 ft) tall by 2 m (7 ft) broad, it is evergreen with arching fronds. The pinnae have curved, finely-toothed segments. The plant derives its common name from the linked sori on the undersides of the fronds. The specific epithet radicans means "with stems that take root", referring to rooting plantlets appearing at the tips of the fronds. |
| Hazards [1] | Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable;
Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase; | | Leaf Type [1] | Evergreen | | Lifespan [1] | Perennial | | Structure [1] | Fern | | Usage [1] | Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way;
The dried fronds and stems have been used in making baskets; |  | | Height [1] | 5.904 feet (1.8 m) | | Width [1] | 24 inches (0.6 m) |
View Plants For A Future Record : Woodwardia radicans |
Species taxanomy provided by GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-13; License: CC BY 4.0
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