Alpine woodsia (Woodsia alpina, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 17 (1821))

Family: Aspleniaceae

Author: (Bolton) Gray

Bibliography: Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 17 (1821)

Year: 1821

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Woodsia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Alpine woodsia, scientifically known as Woodsia alpina, is a resilient and fascinating species belonging to the Aspleniaceae family. First documented in 1821, this fern was detailed in the publication “Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl.”

This particular fern is predominantly found in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its natural habitat is characterized by rocky, mountainous areas where it can often be seen clinging to crevices and cliffs. The ability of Alpine woodsia to thrive in such harsh and demanding environments is a testament to its adaptability and endurance.

The plant itself exhibits a delicate yet robust structure. It develops into a small, tufted formation, typically growing no taller than 20 centimeters. The fronds are finely divided and strikingly dense, contributing to its feathery appearance. They emerge from a short, scaly rhizome which provides the necessary anchor in the rugged terrain it inhabits.

Alpine woodsia showcases a rich green hue that can sometimes take on a more muted shade depending on its exposure to sunlight and the prevailing climatic conditions. The undersides of the fronds are often decorated with sori, the structures responsible for the production and dispersion of spores. These sori are characteristically covered by a unique, hair-like indusium which curls back to release the spores when mature.

A fascinating aspect of Alpine woodsia is its ability to endure and survive in environments with extreme conditions, such as high altitudes where temperatures can be significantly low. This adaptability has sparked interest among botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, making it a subject of study in the context of plant resilience and survival strategies.

In garden settings, although not commonly used as a feature plant, Alpine woodsia can add a touch of natural beauty to rock gardens or alpine-themed landscaping. Its low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in well-drained, rocky soils make it a practical choice for gardeners looking to recreate a slice of alpine wilderness.

In summary, Woodsia alpina, or Alpine woodsia, is a remarkable fern that demonstrates nature’s ingenuity in allowing plant life to flourish under some of the most challenging conditions on earth. Its delicate yet hardy fronds and its presence in the stark, rugged beauty of the northern hemispheric mountains continue to captivate those who venture into its native habitats.

Common Names

Deu: alpen-wimperfarn
Eng: alpine cliff fern, alpine woodsia, northern woodsia, alpine cliffbrake
Pol: rozrzutka alpejska
Fra: woodsie alpine
Sme: duottarráktodealgi
Swe: fjällhällebräken, kortskaftad hällebräken
Cym: coredynen alpaidd, rhedynen-woodsia alpaidd
Gla: raineach mhion ailpeach
En: Alpine woodsia, Alpine Cliff Fern, Northern woodsia, Alpine cliffbrake
Ar: سرخس الجرف الألبي
Az: Alp vudsiyası
Zh: 西疆岩蕨
Cs: Kapradinka alpínská
Fi: Tunturikiviyrtti
Fr: Woodsie alpine, Woodsia des Alpes, Woodsie des Alpes
De: Alpen-Wimperfarn
Hu: Havasi szirtipáfrány
Is: Fjallaliðfætla
It: Felcetta alpina
Se: Duottarráktodealgi
No: Fjell-lodnebregne
Pl: Rozrzutka alpejska
Ru: Вудсия альпийская
Gd: Raineach Mhion Ailpeach
Sv: Fjällhällebräken, Kortskaftad hällebräken
Uk: Вудсія альпійська
Cy: Coredynen Alpaidd, Rhedynen-Woodsia Alpaidd

Synonyms

• Woodsia intermedia (Rupr.)
• Polypodium arvonicum (With.)
• Acrostichum hyperboreum (Lilj.)
• Trichocyclus hyperboreus ((Lilj.) Dulac)
• Polypodium hyperboreum ((Lilj.) Sw.)
• Woodsia belli ((G.Lawson) A.E.Porsild)
• Woodsia hyperborea ((Lilj.) R.Br.)
• Woodsia glabella var. bellii (G.Lawson)
• Woodsia alpina subsp. bellii ((G.Lawson) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
• Woodsia alpina var. bellii ((G.Lawson) G.Lawson)
• Ceterach alpinum ((Bolton) DC.)
• Acrostichum alpinum (Bolton)
• Woodsia ilvensis subsp. alpina ((Bolton) Asch.)
• Woodsia pubescens (Opiz)
• Woodsia ilvensis var. alpina ((Bolton) Bab.)
• Woodsia ilvensis subsp. arvonica ((With.) Milde)
• Woodsia hyperborea var. arvonica ((With.) Milde)
• Woodsia himalaica (Ching & S.K.Wu)
• Woodsia ilvensis subsp. hyperborea ((Lilj.) Hartm.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Manuel Botaya (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Rémi Julliard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2020 by kokoss kokoss (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Rémi JULLIARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Marc Solà (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Rémi JULLIARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Rémi JULLIARD (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by ceron libertad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 8, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Rémi Julliard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Rémi Julliard (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5275066)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17234640-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Woodsia alpina (Bolton) Gray)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth