Native Ferns: Non-Flowering Beauties
Virginia N. Sherry
Virginia N. Sherry
Ferns, one of the world’s oldest plant groups, first appeared some 383-393 million years ago, based on fossil records. The ferns we see today evolved in more recent geologic time, many of them in the last 70 million years. Here are some species native to northeastern North America.
Photos: Mosses and ferns growing in Sonnenberg Gardens State Historic Park in Canandaigua, New York. Courtesy Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0. | A fiddlehead in the New York Botanical Garden. Courtesy KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Northern maidenhair fern
(Adiantum pedatum)
Typically grows 1.5 to 2′ tall and most frequently found on rich wooded slopes, ravine bottoms, and in damp shady woods. Its finely-textured, somewhat frilly fronds feature curved stalks, with fronds divided into finger-like projections. Crosiers — coiled young fiddleheads — emerge pink in spring.
Photos: A crosier emerging in spring. © Peter M. Dziuk. | Adiantum pedatum in Willsboro, NY. Courtesy Doug McGrady, CC BY 2.0.
lady fern
(Athyrium filix-femina)
The lacy-cut, light green fronds grow in a dense circular shuttlecock-like clump to 2-3′ tall. Each frond (leaf) has twenty to thirty pairs of elliptic non-opposite leaflets with narrow pointed tips. This species is found in rich moist woods, thickets, fields, meadows and ravines.
Netted chain fern
(Woodwardia areolata)
Found naturally in bogs and woodland swamps, and areas with wet, acidic, and organic soils. Performs best in part to full shade.
Photos: Woodwardia areolata growing among pitcher plants. © Richie Steffen. | The underside of Woodwardia areolata’s leaves and stem.
Eagle fern
(Pteridium aquilinum)
Also known as bracken fern, all parts of this species, including the fiddleheads, are poisonous. It grows in locations with full sun and medium to high light shade.
Photo: Pteridum aquilinum growing in the woods. © Robert L. Carr.
Interrupted fern
(Osmunda claytoniana)
Its broad fronds are “interrupted” in the middle by spore-bearing pinnae (leaflets) which typically fall off in mid summer, giving rise to the common name. Heavy rhizomes are the source for Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids.
Photo: Osmunda claytoniana, with pinnae clearly visible. © Donald Cameron.
Cinnamon fern
(Osmunda cinnamomea)
Typically grows in clumps to 2-3′ tall, but with constant moisture can reach 5′ in height. Separate spore-bearing, stiff, fertile fronds appear in early spring, quickly turning brown. The familiar “fiddleheads” also emerge from the base of the plant and unfurl into large, erect, pinnately-compound, yellowish-green, sterile fronds (2-4′ long) which remain attractive throughout the summer and turn yellow in autumn. The common name of this plant is in reference to the cinnamon-colored fibers found near the frond bases.
Photos: Osmunda cinnamomea growing in a garden. | Osmunda cinnamomea in autumn. Photo courtesy Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
Born and raised on Staten Island, Virginia N. Sherry founded the Native Plant Society of Staten Island after a long career as a journalist and associate director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch.
Photos: Mosses and ferns growing courtesy Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0. | Fiddlehead courtesy KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0. | Crosier © Peter M. Dziuk. | Adiantum pedatum courtesy Doug McGrady, CC BY 2.0. | Woodwardia areolata © Richie Steffen | Pteridum aquilinum © Robert L. Carr. | Osmunda claytoniana © Donald Cameron | Osmunda cinnamomea courtesy Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. All copyrighted images shared here under fair use.
