The Fern Family

Ferns are plants that contain lignin (wood) and reproduce using spores. Lignin is the building chemical of wood allow a plant to grow tall and stiff and have the tubes to transport water and nutrients, xylem and phloem. The ferns that most people know, those that are frilly, are just one part of the entire fern family. There are about 11.000 species of ferns worldwide.

https://fernleaf07.wordpress.com/2024/11/29/the-fern-family/

Asparagus Fern Is NOT a Fern

On the Reddit sub r/ferns there are many requests to help with the care of an asparagus fern. The indoor card of asparagus fern is similar to many plants, proper light, proper water, proper size pot. Link to care instructions. Asparagus fern may have the feathery leaf look of a fern. The leaves are a bit too feathery for a fern.

https://fernleaf07.wordpress.com/2024/11/16/asparagus-fern-is-not-a-fern/

Royal Fern – It’s Many Names

The Royal Fern is one of those ferns that everyone recognizes and likes. Fairfield Aubudon, Fairfield, CT, USA Fairfield, CT, USA Fairfield, CT, USA There are several species around the world: Osmunda regalis, Europe, Africa, and Asia; Osmunda spectabilis, North America and South America (New World); Osmunda; Osmunda lancea, East Asia; Osmunda japonica, Japan. The scientific names of Royal Fern have changed recently as have many ferns due…

https://fernleaf07.wordpress.com/2024/11/13/royal-fern-its-many-names/

Family Traits

This is the time of year for fiddleheads. Two species of fiddleheads that are up now are Interrupted Fern and Cinnamon Fern. Interrupted Fern and Cinnamon Fern are members of the family Osmundaceae. The Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis, is also a member of this family. Both of the Interrupted and Cinnamon ferns have had their Latin genus specie name changed.

https://fernleaf07.wordpress.com/2024/05/04/family-traits/

Another sign of spring, fertile field horsetail. The spores will emerge from the tip called the strobolus. Equisetum arvense.

The oval tip, called the strobolus, has hexagonal plates that will separate to expose the spores. There are black tips lower on the plant who's pattern and shape identify the horsetail species.

Pioneer Valley Fern Society

I would like to give a shout out to The Pioneer Valley Fern Society, of Western Massachusetts. This group of naturalists has many decades of knowledge of ferns. If you are near Western Massachusetts, go to their page and sign up for their guided tours. The photos of ferns are extensive. The ferns around Mt. Toby are many and varied.

https://fernleaf07.wordpress.com/2024/03/04/pioneer-valley-fern-society/