Woodwardia unigemmata

Woodwardia unigemmata
File:Woodwardia unigemmata.JPG
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Suborder:	Aspleniineae
Family:	Blechnaceae
Genus:	Woodwardia
Species:	W. unigemmata
Binomial name
Woodwardia unigemmata (Makino) Nakai
Synonyms
Homotypic Synonyms Woodwardia radicans var. unigemmata Makino Heterotypic Synonyms Woodwardia maxima Blechnum japonicum Houtt. Ching & S.K.Wu Ching ex P.S.Chiu Woodwardia yunnanensis Woodwardia latiloba Ching & P.S.Chiu Woodwardia himalaica Ching & P.S.Chiu

Woodwardia unigemmata is a species of evergreen fern in the family Aspleniaceae. It is sometimes referred to by the common name jewelled chain fern. It is native to Assam, China (North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast), East and West Himalaya, Japan, Java, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Tibet, and Vietnam. Growing to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall by 2.5 m (8.2 ft) broad, it bears pinnately-divided fronds which emerge red and turn green when mature. It occurs in areas of high rainfall.

This plant is grown as an ornamental, and in the UK has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is an imposing architectural subject which is thought to be hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F). However it requires a sheltered position in well-cultivated, reliably moist soil.