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Glite Dictionary
chain fern

chain fern

8.6
A fern with long leaves that have chainlike rows of small spore cases underneath
  • noun
  • /tʃeɪn fɜrn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : helecho cadena
  • The distinct pattern of sori makes the chain fern easy to identify.

Examples

  • The chain fern thrives in moist, shaded areas.

  • Gardeners often plant chain ferns for their attractive foliage and unique texture.

  • The chain fern thrives in moist woodland environments throughout North America.

  • Have you seen the chain ferns in the garden?

  • Gardeners often plant chain ferns for their attractive foliage and unique texture.

  • The distinct pattern of sori makes the chain fern easy to identify.

  • The chain fern thrives in moist woodland environments throughout North America.

Synonyms

Woodwardia
vschain fern
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of ferns with chain-like leaves that grow in moist shady places

is the common name for species in that genus focusing on chainlike spore rows

Surface Forms

chain fern singular
chain ferns plural

Morphology

chain + fern

The meaning 'a fern with chainlike rows of spore cases' is directly and transparently built from 'chain' (chainlike) + 'fern' (a type of plant), so the overall sense can be inferred from the constituents. This simple noun–noun compound follows a common compositional pattern (a fern characterized by chain-like features), which a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand even without botanical knowledge of the genus.

Etymology

The plant name chain fern comes from the way the fern looks: its leaves show long, chain-like rows of 'spore cases' on the underside, so people described it as chain + fern. That's why chain fern simply means a fern with that clear chain pattern.