In my area, the new growth of ferns starts to push through the ground in early April. In most species of ferns, the leaves first emerge in tightly packed buds called croziers which then unfurl and take on the characteristic fiddlehead shape. This post features the fiddleheads of some common ferns that grow in the New Jersey Highlands.
Maidenhair fern
Like the mature leaves, the fiddleheads of Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) are delicate looking. The slim, brownish red stalks emerge in small groups from the creeping rhizomes (horizontal stems) and are hard to locate among the leaf litter. The stalks are at first somewhat scaly and are topped with tightly coiled leaf buds that are about ½“ wide. As the buds unfurl, they become smooth, and the developing leaflets of the fern become noticeable. Maidenhair fern is common in rich woodlands.
Interrupted fern
Unlike maidenhair fern, the fiddleheads of interrupted fern (Osmunda Claytoniana) are stout and easily spotted. They’re some of the earliest fiddleheads to appear in spring. They emerge in small clumps and are dressed in dense, woolly white coats. As the leaves unfurl, the woolly coats open to reveal the green leaves. The common name of interrupted fern comes from the fact that the stalks of the mature leaves are “interrupted” midway by the brownish spore bearing leaves. Interrupted fern is similar in appearance to cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), except that the latter has its brownish spore bearing leaves all along separate stalks (the “cinnamon sticks”). Both these ferns grow in acidic woods, with interrupted fern in moist areas and cinnamon fern in wet or swampy areas.
Christmas fern
The fiddleheads of Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) also are easy to spot. Several fiddleheads arise along a short rootstock above the previous year’s evergreen foliage. At first, they’re tightly coiled and covered with long silvery white scales. They curl backwards as they unfurl. Christmas fern is a hardy fern of rocky woods that can grow in large colonies. The common name comes from the fact that its evergreen leaves have been used as Christmas decorations.
Common polypody
Common polypody (Polypodium virginianum) is an evergreen fern like the Christmas fern, and the leaves of the two species look similar. Polypody spreads by creeping rhizomes that have footprint-shaped scars where dead leaves have dropped off, hence the name polypody, which means “many feet.” Polypody grows in thin, rocky soils in shade and can spread to cover large boulders, giving rise to another common name, rock-cap fern. Its fiddleheads are petite with some rust-colored scales and are often hidden by the mature evergreen foliage.
I really don’t know much about ferns, so this was a very educational post for me. I’m guessing that we have many of the same species in Ohio, so I’ll be trying to see if I can find any of these here.
Hi Deb – Hope you find lots of ferns in Ohio!
Edna
fantastic! I always enjoy your new posts. You might enjoy mine from a few weeks back called “Ferny”: http://lightswimming.com/2012/03/17/ferny/
Great photos!
Edna
These are really cool looking. Great post.
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