Virginia Chainfern
Woodwardia virginica
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Robert H. Mohlenbrock.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Aspleniaceae
- Genus:
- Woodwardia
- Species:
- Woodwardia virginica
- USDA Symbol:
- WOVI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Florida fern moth (Callopistria floridensis), Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), Papaipema stenocelis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- bronze, reddish-brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire; common in fire-maintained Atlantic coastal plain bogs and pocosins.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers wetland and boggy areas
Propagation & Germination
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI