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Woodwardia orientalis
(Sw.) Sw.
Oriental Chain Fern
Blechnaceae
Woodwardia orientalis is a species of fern in the family Blechnaceae. It is native to East Asia, and is sometimes used medicinally.
Description
Woodwardia orientalis is a terrestrial fern with creeping rhizomes that are dark brown and covered with dense, lanceolate scales about 1 to 4 cm long. Leaves are relatively large (but not as large as some other species); the stipes are about 20 to 55 cm long and 3 to 6 mm diameter, and the lamina is 35 to 45, sometimes up to 70, cm long and 15 to 45 cm wide. The leaf blade is bipinnatifid, ovate, with a long pointed tip. Leaves have 6 to 8 pairs of pinnae that are narrowly lanceolate. The lower to middle ones are 10 to 30 cm long and 4 to 9 cm wide, deeply lobed with 10 to 18 pairs of lobes down to 2 to 4 mm from the costae, except the basal basiscopic (lower) lobe which is lacking. Lobes are 3 to 5.5 (or 7) cm long, broadest at base, oblong, pointed at the tip and finely serrated. Veins are anastomosing (merging back on themselves). Sori are found on the underside on either side of the pinna costae, sunken, elliptic or crescent shaped, with dark brown indusia covering them. On the upper side of the leaf surface, there may be many small bulbils (small propagules that can grow into new plants) (Wu et al. 2013).
Woodwardia unigemmata is similar, but has bulbils on the main rachis, while Woodwardia orientalis lacks them (Wu et al. 2013). Woodwardia prolifera is even more similar and has been classified as a variety of this species, var. formosana. Woodwardia prolifera has larger leaves, up to 2 m long and 50 cm wide, and lobes are caudate at the tip (long-pointed, more so than Woodwardia orientalis) (Wu et al. 2013; Ohwi et al. 1965).
Woodwardia unigemmata is similar, but has bulbils on the main rachis, while Woodwardia orientalis lacks them (Wu et al. 2013). Woodwardia prolifera is even more similar and has been classified as a variety of this species, var. formosana. Woodwardia prolifera has larger leaves, up to 2 m long and 50 cm wide, and lobes are caudate at the tip (long-pointed, more so than Woodwardia orientalis) (Wu et al. 2013; Ohwi et al. 1965).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
The rhizomes are used to treat a wide variety of illnesses in traditional Chinese medicine (Thangaraj 2018). It also has attractive foliage and can be used as a houseplant (NPlants). However, in horticulture the plants typically seen are Woodwardia orientalis var. formosana, which is a synonym of the Woodwardia prolifera (HFF 2022).
Distribution
Woodwardia orientalis is common along roads and mountain slopes at altitudes of around 500 m. It is native to southeastern China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines (Wu et al. 2013).
Status
References
HFF (Hardy Fern Foundation). 2022. Woodwardia orientalis var. formosana. Hardy Fern Foundation. [accessed 2022 Jul 17]. https://hardyferns.org/ferns/woodwardia-orientalis-var-formosana/
NParks (National Parks Board). Woodwardia orientalis. Flora Fauna Web. [accessed 2022 Jul 17]. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/5/8/5890
Ohwi, J,, Meyer, F. G., Walker E, H. 1965. Flora of Japan. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Thangaraj, P. 2018. Medicinal Plants: Promising Future for Health and New Drugs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
NParks (National Parks Board). Woodwardia orientalis. Flora Fauna Web. [accessed 2022 Jul 17]. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/5/8/5890
Ohwi, J,, Meyer, F. G., Walker E, H. 1965. Flora of Japan. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Thangaraj, P. 2018. Medicinal Plants: Promising Future for Health and New Drugs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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