In ancient times it was believed that anyone carrying fern seed would be made invisible and he would pass unnoticed. Well, for the fern perhaps, because fern seed is barely more than dust particles. To many people ferns are familiar only as house plants or as sprays of greenery that florists include with bunches of cut flowers. Ferns, mosses, seaweed, liverwort and lichens are the lowly plants in terms of human perception. Their physical dimensions cannot change, but your opinion of them can. Open your imagination to the intricate nature of ferns and let's see what grows in the damp, dark woodlands. Ferns range in size from so small they blanket the ground like a carpet to some that are as big as trees.

Although ferns are among those plants that lack flowers, they do possess leaves, stems and roots that appear to be flowers. They display a grouping of spore-carrying leaves. The visible part of the plant consists of leaves (or fronds) rising at intervals from an underground stem. When the leaves begin to emerge the tips are tightly coiled and gradually open as they mature. The underground stem is called a stolon.

Look at the leaf of any fern. Don't be alarmed if you see small spots on the underside. This is not a disease but a cluster of spore sacs and they format in a number of ways on the leaf or stem. When mature these sacs burst and the dust particles are carried away by wind and rain.

A big mistake is to look for a flower; you are looking for background instead of substance. Ferns are graceful, airy and delicate. Sometimes they have a far more subtle beauty than the wildflowers around them. Give a little time and study them; some leaves are undivided and others divided into leaflets and sub-leaflets, or three times into leaflets and sub-leaflets and lobes. These are interrupted (spore bearing leaflets near the center of its stem) and uninterrupted (spore bearing leaflets at the top of the stem as in the Royal Fern. While we don't always see them they are there nevertheless.....background or substance!

     
Netted Chain Fern                                          Bracken Fern
  Woodwardia aerolata                                 Pteridium aquilinum

Netted Chain fern has fronds with unpaired leaflets, most are not cut to the stalk; leaflets have net-like veins. Sterile fronds are broad and dark green; fertile fronds are narrow and more erect. Two chain-like rows of spore cases may be seen on the back of the leaf.
Habitat: Bogs and swamps.

Bracken Fern may reach 2-3 ft. in height, but usually not. Fronds are broad and coarse; horizontal in stature and triangular in shape. Usually divided into three large triangular leaflets. Habitat: Fields, brushy or burned- over areas; openings in woods and in poor soils.

     
Japanese Climbing Fern
Lygodium japonicum

The Japanese Climbing Fern has vine-like fronds. The leaves grow year-round and may reach lengths of eight feet or more. The palm-like leaves have a toothed margin. This weedy fern is an introduction from Asia has become well established along roadsides and woodland borders throughout the region. It is known in adjacent states but less frequent. The native variety of this fern, L. palmatum, is not as widespread as the Japanese variety.

Climbing Fern is well established across the Coastal Plain and has become so well established that conventional wisdom held that it was necessary to move the fern in sods to be successful with the transplant. This has proved not to be the case as even small pieces of the root form new plants.

The native species of climbing fern, palmatum, also known as Hartford Fern, was once thought to be nearly extinct, but a large supply was found in time to save it from being plowed under by a farmer. There seems to be no further danger of losing this unique species. It grows in thickets or pastures where it can find other shrubs on which to climb. The sterile fronds, which are first to come up in the spring, attain a height of only a few inches, but in mid-summer the fertile fronds, which are infinitely more graceful, grow as tall as three to four feet.

Black Stem Spleenwort is also known as Ebony Spleenwort. Fertile fronds of this fern are erect and taller. Sterile fronds are shorter and spreading. Leaves are oblong and over-lapping at the base with an ear on the upper edge. Spore cases are along the veins, sometimes meeting at the central vein. Habitat is old fields, woods and road- sides.

Lady Fern reaches heights of three feet or more. The fronds are delicate and usually nodding to the left or right; margins are toothed. The stalk is smooth and easily bruised. Two strands of spore cases are located on the back side of the leaflets; tightly curved. Habitat is rich woods, swamps, moist ditches and flood zones.

Resurrection Fern is usually no more than six inches tall. Fronds are gray below with scales; green and sunken midrib above. The plant rolls inward when dry and revives when wet. Its rootstock is creeping and exposed. Habitat is on rocks, tree trunks and branches (especially fond of Live Oak trees).

Resurrection Fern is one of the most disregarded in the Escambia region; rarely being noticed clinging to the bark of old trees, or if noticed is seen to be a parasite. In the Escambia region is some 23 varieties of fern (spleenwort included).

Maidenhair Spleenwort fronds are nearly 20 inches tall. Fertile fronds are tall and erect; sterile fronds are flat and spreading from the base. Spore cases are crescent shaped and appear in clusters. Leaf stalks are stiff, shiny and sometimes brownish. Habitat is shaded rock crevices, limestone and old mortar.