Greek: Polys = many
Stichos = line or row
Munitum = armed with teeth (serrated fronds)
When I went to grab a few pictures of these beautiful staple plants, I spent way more time outside than I thought I would. That is because ferns are gorgeous in their simplicity and abundance. They are easily found in forests on the western side of North America. Ranging from upper Alaska, down through Canada and along the coast, the sword fern is one of the most recognizable (though perhaps overlooked) plants you can find.
They have lovely green serrated leaves which grow from either side of a long stem (stipe). The individual leaves are referred to as pinna, or pinnae (plural). The entire structure that emerges from the ground is called a frond, which can grow from about four to six feet. Clusters of fronds also cluster together in groups sometimes called stands.
They remind me of Jurassic Park, always feeling delightfully prehistoric. Beneath the soil, they are rooted in place by rhizomes, horizontal root structures that send off more little roots into the soil system.
So far, ferns have done well for themselves on Earth. They’ve been around for about 360 million years and continue to reproduce with elegance and ease wherever conditions are right: Shaded (though not too dark), moist, and at a low elevation. Sword ferns are soldier-like and resilient. They seem to go on and on in mature forests, withstanding a degree of drought and also freeze. Until you go out and really examine a sword fern—or any plant for that matter—it’s easy to take them for granted.
What I find most fascinating about the sword fern is its means of reproduction. This is not a plant that produces seeds. Instead, on the underside of each pinna, there exist incredible orange dots containing all the information needed to make a baby sword fern. If you touch them, they are a bit rough and powdery and will slough off with ease.
As a kid playing outside, I rubbed fern dots onto my skin when I came into contact with stinging nettles. It always seemed to help—try it next time you get stung!
The orange dots are made of sori or spores, collectively known as sporangia, as well as a structure known as the indusium (new favorite word alert). The indusium acts as a protective encasing for the sporangia, remaining moist until the spores are ready to be released.
In spring, when the time is right, the indusium dries up, thereby launching the spores into the air so they can nestle into some hopefully damp, lightly acidic soil. The result after a few weeks: Gametophytes, or heart-shaped disc-like greenery that pop up from the soil. These gametophytes contain both male and female structures in order for fertilization.
Baby ferns are referred to as fiddleheads. They uncoil adorably as they come up from the Earth, and I cannot wait to hopefully find some in spring! I have read that eating properly cooked fiddleheads is enjoyable, and common to some native peoples. However, some also cause unpleasant effects in some (nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea) so if you try this, do it with caution.
Another idea: Pickled fiddleheads, which I am very curious about.
Full-grown ferns can be eaten in a pinch, but I’ve heard they don’t taste great.
Fern leaves were used by native peoples to line baskets and drying racks, and the rhizomes were chewed in order to ease an speed up childbirth (amazing). If food is scarce, the rhizomes can be dug up, roasted or boiled, and eaten. Collect enough of the fronds and they could make for some softish bedding. Because they are so prevalent, reliable, and safe, sword ferns can be used in a variety of ways.
In the garden, sword ferns can fill in borders for a low-maintenance pop of lush green that deer won’t often nibble from. Decaying ferns, like all dying foliage, make cozy places for insects to hang out, feel safe, and reproduce. This can increase the biodiversity of your space in a small yet important way. Every chance we give to the bugs, bees, and birds to thrive is one we ought to take.
Here’s to this ground-dwelling stunner,
Lish
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