woodsia

[wood-zee-uh]

noun

1. any of various small ferns of the genus Woodsia, of northern temperate, alpine, and Arctic regions, having short, stout stalks, usually lance-shaped fronds, and often covered with fine hairs: common on mountains in rocky ledges and crevices.

woodsia

/ ˈwʊdzɪə /

noun

1. any small fern of the genus Woodsia, of temperate and cold regions, having tufted rhizomes and numerous wiry fronds: family Polypodiaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodsia¹

From New Latin (1815), after Joseph Woods (1776–1864), English botanist; -ia

Example Sentences

The ferns were developed in remarkable beauty and size—aspidiums, one of which is about six feet high, a woodsia, lomaria, and several species of polypodium.

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Naturally enough the greater number are rock ferns--pellæa, cheilanthes, polypodium, adiantum, woodsia, cryptogramma, etc., with small tufted fronds, lining cool glens and fringing the seams of the cliffs.

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