Family: Aspleniaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Woodwardia orientalis, commonly known as Oriental chain fern, is a large, evergreen fern native to eastern China, Japan, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia, extending south to the Philippines. It grows in moist forests, along streams, and on shaded slopes, where its graceful, arching fronds can reach several feet in length. New fronds often emerge with attractive reddish or bronze tones before maturing to glossy green. Because of its lush, tropical appearance and preference for shady, humid conditions, Oriental chain fern is widely cultivated as an ornamental in woodland gardens, shaded landscapes, and around ponds or water features. It is valued for its bold foliage, ease of cultivation, and ability to add texture to gardens with few flowering plants.

Risks & Threats
Oriental chain fern is considered a low-risk species for Hawaiʻi. It spreads primarily by spores and slowly expanding rhizomes, but there is little evidence that it becomes invasive or displaces native vegetation where it is cultivated. It generally requires consistently moist, shaded habitats and does not aggressively colonize disturbed areas. As with any introduced plant, it is good practice to monitor cultivated specimens and prevent unwanted spread into nearby natural areas. However, based on current knowledge, Woodwardia orientalis poses little threat to Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems and can be grown responsibly as an ornamental fern.

High Risk Traits:

• Able to grow in temperate to subtropical climates
  
• Reported as a greenhouse escape in Poland
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Reproduces by spores and vegetatively by adventitious bulbils
  
• Spores dispersed by wind and possibly water
  
• Intentionally propagated
  
• Presumably prolific spore production

Low Risk Traits:

• No reported of naturalization or invasiveness to date
  
• Cultivated, but not reported as naturalized, in Hawaiian Islands
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental