Genus: Woodwardia

The chain ferns

The chain ferns have a wide distribution around the world.

W. virginica is sometimes placed in the genus Anchistea. I have maintained Lorinseria areolata separately, rather than including it here. The chromosome numbers of both of them are n=35, rather than being based on the typical Woodwardia x=34.

Species of Woodwardia:

1. Woodwardia cochin-chinensis Ching 1931
2. Woodwardia fimbriata Small 1818 (n=34)
3. Woodwardia harlandii Hooker 1857
4. Woodwardia japonica (Lf.) Small 1793
5. Woodwardia martinezii Maxon ex Weatherby 1949: Mexico
6. Woodwardia orientalis Swartz 1801 (n=68)
7. Woodwardia prolifera Hooker et. Arnold 1840 (n=34)
8. Woodwardia radicans (L.) Small 1793 (n=34)
9. Woodwardia spinulosa Mart. et Gal. 1842: Mexico-Guatemala
10. Woodwardia unigemmata (Mak.)Nakai 1925 (n=34): eastern Asia to the Himalayas
11. Woodwardia virginica (L.)Small 1793 (n=35): eastern North America