British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide
- Lady
Fern
(Athyrium Filix-Femina)
The
Lady Fern is a large spreading fern (up to 2 metres)
that usually grows in clumps.
- LEAVES:
- -
Lady Fern fronds can reach 4 ft. long and 10
in. wide
- -
fronds; tapered at both ends - largest in the
centre
- -
can exceed 30 pairs of leaflets
- SPORE
CASES:
- -
attached in pairs to the underside
- -
horseshoe shaped
- HABITAT:
- -
Lady Fern grows at all elevations along the
British Columbia coast and wet interior regions
- -
Lady Fern prefers wet or damp areas such as
swamps, stream banks, wet forests
- -
Lady Fern appears in clearings such a meadows
- FASCINATING
FACTS:
- -
Lady Fern were traditionally used as a covering
for food, much like todays wax paper
- -
the fiddleheads are a spring delicacy and are
eaten raw or cooked.
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