Re: Fern question/ Bracken
Hello Chris,
Took a look at the site and thought of the scan you sent earlier to the list.
That broadly triangular shape and the turning to form an "umbrella" sure fits the
Bracken title. Bracken is a fern made for walking to put it mildly. Not one I
recommend for gardens... in fact, I do not carry it in the nursery. Native or no,
most people I know that garden do not have the space to accommodate this wanderer
and I do not want them returning to me a few years later wanting to know why I
sold them this thug.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher P. Lindsey <lindsey@mallorn.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 1999 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: Fern question
> > I am no expert on ferns, but took a look. you may, indeed, have a Oak Fern
as
> > it has that habit of growth same as the Hay Scented fern Marge mentioned in
her
> > message. My literature says one is not likely to encounter your Oak fern very
> > often in the trade or in nature. Marge's hay Scented fern is easily located.
> > However, neither one matched my photos here. The leaf you scanned was broadly
> > triangular and very regular in pattern and form. Hay Scented has little hairs
all
> > down the stem in between the leaves.
>
> Last post about this, I promise. :)
>
> I did some more checking and it looks like it's probably a bracken fern
> (Pteridium aquilinum). It's probably a good thing because I found out
> that oak ferns are an endangered species in Illinois, so I'd hate to be
> mowing them over. :)
>
> The ferns may have come from Minnesota> There's a good photograph and
description of it at
>
> http://www.ceie.sunysb.edu/longis/ferns.html
>
> Also discovered that it is a known carcinogen and causes severe hemorrhaging
> of the intestinal tract in animals.
>
> Chris
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
