blunt woodsia
ExplorePlants
blunt woodsia
Woodsia obtusa
Blunt woodsia is a lovely fern that grows in cool, shady places. Its soft, green leaves are shaped like little fans, making it a special plant to find in the woods!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The blunt woodsia is a small-to-medium-sized fern with delicate, lacy fronds that are a soft green color. Its fronds are twice-divided, tapering at both ends, and have distinct rounded (blunt) segments, giving it a somewhat fuzzy or soft appearance compared to other ferns.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyWoodsiaceaeGenusPhysematium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
4
Interesting facts
It can cling to bare rocks and cliffs, even growing sideways!
Its "blunt" name comes from the rounded tips of its leaf segments!
The fronds curl up tightly in winter to protect themselves!
This fern reproduces with tiny spores instead of seeds or flowers!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Dodger
When conditions get dry, blunt woodsia can curl its fronds inwards, protecting its delicate parts and conserving water until rain returns.
Ability
Spore Sprinter
Instead of seeds, blunt woodsia releases tiny spores that are carried by the wind, allowing it to spread to new rocky habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-45 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
Grey Field Slug
Deroceras reticulatum
Slugs sometimes graze on its soft fronds.
shelters
Common Pillbug
Porcellionides pruinosus
Pillbugs hide under its fronds from heat and predators.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer may browse on its fronds when other food is scarce.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants in the wild, as some can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify blunt woodsia?
The easiest way to identify blunt woodsia is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is blunt woodsia?
15-45 cm
How wide does blunt woodsia spread?
15-30 cm
Is blunt woodsia edible?
No
Is blunt woodsia toxic?
None
What is blunt woodsia's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is blunt woodsia usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
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