Woodwardia radicans
| Woodwardia radicans | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 6' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Woodwardia radicans (common name: chain fern)
Propagation: Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though they can also be sown in the spring. Sow them on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position.
Plants produce a plantlet at the tips of each frond. These can be detached from the parent plant and rooted in humid conditions in a frame or the fronds can be anchored down and the plantlet allowed to root in situ[1].
Division in spring[2].
Cultivation: Requires a neutral to acid humus-rich soil[1]. Prefers growing in wet conditions, especially near running water[1]. Grows best in semi-shade[2].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, once established it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[1][3] and succeeds outdoors in the milder areas[4].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].
A very ornamental plant[6].
Range: South-western Europe and the Atlantic Islands.
Habitat: Woodland margins, often by streams[3].
Medicinal: Anthelmintic, astringent[7].
A decoction of the roots has been used both internally and externally in the treatment of pain from injuries[8].
Usage: Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[4].
The dried fronds and stems have been used in making baskets[8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Known Hazards: Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[1]._x005F
Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this e
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.