About Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm.
Woodwardia radicans, commonly called the chain fern, European chain fern, or rooting chainfern, is a fern species that belongs to the family Blechnaceae. It is mainly distributed across Macaronesia and southwestern Europe, and can also be found in southern Italy and Crete. This evergreen fern grows to 1.8 metres (6 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in width, and produces arching fronds. Its pinnae have curved, finely toothed segments. The plant gets its common name from the linked sori that grow on the undersides of its fronds. Its specific epithet radicans translates to "with stems that take root", which refers to the rooting plantlets that form at the tips of the fronds. Woodwardia radicans is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, and in the United Kingdom it has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Unlike the hardier related species Woodwardia unigemmata, W. radicans is easily damaged by frost and needs protection in colder climates.
