Winter Ferns 2024-2025

Blunt-Lobe Woodsia

Now that we have had some snow and the temperatures are below freezing many nights, I think I am safe to go into "Winter Ferns". The Winter Solstice is only about a week away.

Blunt-Lobe Woodsia (Woodsia obtusa) is a fern of rocky places. The fern in this photo was growing above our heads on a rock face along a road, but we also find them growing on the ground where rock is just below the surface. Despite their rugged conditions, the sterile fronds remain a bright green all winter and the plants appear to continue to produce new fronds throughout the year (except, we suspect, in frigid winter). This fern was too far over our heads to be able to look closely at the individual fronds within the clump. But we were able to get up very close to other Blunt-Lobe Woodsias at our other site today, and could see tiny little buds that will become fiddleheads, and other new fronds still unfurling despite the cold conditions.

There are two Woodsias in our area, the Blunt-Lobe Woodsia and the Rusty Woodsia (Woodsia ilvensis). They may grow in the same area, but are easily differentiated this time of year because the Rusty Woodsia is not evergreen. It has turned brown now and most of its fronds have broken off (evenly) near their base. The Blunt-Lobe Woodsia sterile fronds will remain green, and the plants will also often still have some of their long dead fertile fronds drooping over the rock or ground, as seen in this photo. The brown fertile fronds are often 12" or more in length. It is a pretty distinctive look.

We thank everyone who came out for the post-Thanksgiving hike at Mt Toby up to the caves and back. It is always nice to see familar faces,and fun to meet new people. We are glad you came! It is not too late to still get out and look at ferns!

Posted: to PV Fern News on Thu, Dec 12, 2024
Updated: Thu, Dec 12, 2024