# netted chain fern (*Woodwardia areolata*) The netted chain fern is a beautiful plant with unique, lacy leaves that look like chains. It loves to grow in shady, moist places and can be found in forests and wetlands. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Forests and wetlands ![netted chain fern](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Woodwardia_areolata.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Choess, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodwardia_areolata.jpeg) ## Appearance The netted chain fern has distinctive bright green fronds, deeply lobed with prominent, net-like veins that give it its name. Its sterile fronds are broad and resemble leaves, while the taller, narrower fertile fronds bear spore cases on their undersides. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Polypodiopsida - **Order:** Polypodiales - **Family:** Blechnaceae - **Genus:** Lorinseria ## Interesting facts - Ferns are ancient plants; their ancestors lived alongside dinosaurs millions of years ago! - Instead of seeds, netted chain ferns reproduce using tiny, dust-like spores released from their fronds! - Look closely at its leaves, and you'll see a beautiful pattern of veins like a delicate green net! - This fern helps create cool, shady microhabitats for small insects and amphibians in wet forests! ## Special abilities - **Spore Slingers:** Netted chain fern has specialized fertile fronds that release tiny spores, allowing it to easily spread and colonize new, damp habitats. - **Wetland Warrior:** The netted chain fern can thrive in waterlogged, acidic soils where many other plants struggle, helping it survive in swampy areas. - **Leafy Logic:** Netted chain fern has two types of fronds: broad ones for sunlight, and tall, narrow ones just for spore production. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [black slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Larvae and slugs may nibble on its fronds - **Shelter:** [wood frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wood-frog) (*Rana sylvatica*) — Provides cool, damp cover for amphibians - **Depends on:** [water tupelo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/water-tupelo) (*Nyssa aquatica*) — Thrives in the same wet, wooded habitats ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch plants unless a grown-up says it's okay. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify netted chain fern? Compare frond shape, how the leaflets are arranged, the stalk, and any spore clusters you can see. A single detached leaflet often hides the plant's overall growth pattern. Fern Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is netted chain fern? 30-90 cm ### How wide does netted chain fern spread? 30-60 cm ### Is netted chain fern edible? No ### Is netted chain fern toxic? None ### What is netted chain fern's lifecycle? Perennial ### Where is netted chain fern usually found? Forests and wetlands ## Where to spot - [Ashley River Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashley-river-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Fort Caroline](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-caroline) — Florida, US · National Park - [Ortega](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ortega) — Florida, US · Neighborhood - [Angel Oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/angel-oak) — South Carolina, US · Nature Reserve - [Blydenburgh Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blydenburgh-park-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Caleb Smith State Park Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caleb-smith-state-park-preserve) — New York, US · State Park [View all places to see netted chain fern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/netted-chain-fern) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Netted Chain Fern: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/netted-chain-fern)