Woodwardia virginica (L.) Sm.

• Authority

  Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

• Family

  Blechnaceae

• Scientific Name

  Woodwardia virginica (L.) Sm.

• Description

  Species Description - Rhizome 6–10 mm thick; lvs monomorphic, to 14 dm, the petiole purplish-brown, shining, the blade lance-oblong, to 5 × 2.5 dm, acuminate, pinnate- pinnatifid, the pinnae 15–20 pairs, pinnatifid with a rachis 1–1.5 mm wide, the segments 15–20 pairs, ovate to broadly oblong, with cartilaginous margins; veins forming a single series of areoles along the costa and costules, otherwise free, indusia thin, soon recurved, those along the costules only 1–1.5 mm, those along the costae larger; 2n=70. Swamps and moist places in acid soil; N.S. to Fla., w. to Ont., Mich., Ill., and Tex.; Bermuda. (Anchistea v.)

• Common Names

  Virginia chain-fern