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Woodsia polystichoides
D.C.Eaton
Holly-fern Woodsia
Woodsiaceae
Woodsia polystichoides is a species of fern in the family Woodsiaceae. It is native to large parts of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Russia.
Description
Woodsia polystichoides grows up to 30 cm tall. Rhizomes are erect with brown lanceolate scales that are about 4 mm long. Fronds are clustered, narrowly lanceolate, widest near the middle. Blades are 10 to 23 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm wide on a straw-colored or brown, 4 to 12 cm long stipe with linear scales and long hairs. Fronds are pinnate. They have 16 to 30 alternate leaflet pairs, 8 to 20 mm long and about 4 to 7 mm wide, stalkless, ovate, and are pointed at the tips with entire or wavy margins. Leaflets have asymmetrical base, and the basal leaflets are reduced near the base of the stalk, The upper side is mostly smooth, while the bottom side has linear scales and long hair. Sori are round, and indusia are cup-shaped (Wu et al. 2013).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Woodsia polystichoides is sometimes grown as an ornamental. It prefers partial sun, and grows in USDA zones 5 to 8 (Steffen and Olsen 2015).
Distribution
Woodsia polystichoides is found underneath rocks at altitudes of 200 to 2700 m. It is found in southwestern, central, eastern, northern, and northwestern China, as well as Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Russia (Wu et al. 2013).
Status
References
Steffen, R., and Olsen, S. 2015. The Plant Lover's Guide to Ferns. Portland: Timber 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.
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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