Spring Ferning
Bulblet Fern Fiddleheads
At this time of year, every time we go out there is a new species of fiddlehead coming out, and plenty of exciting growth on the fiddleheads we have been watching for a couple days or weeks. Some grow fast, some take their time, partly depending on how cold and bleak our weather is I assume. These striking red and green fiddleheads of the Bulblet Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera) are always something special to find. We only know a few sites for them, but at one of the sites they are very prolific and practically blanket the wet mossy rock faces. Another place which has an amazing abundance of these beautiful ferns is Bartholomew's Cobble in the Berkshires, where they carpet the ground in some areas.They sometimes grow on stony ground, sometimes on rock faces or ledges, usually calcareous rock.
Bulblet (or Bulblet Bladder) Ferns grow into long thin fronds that may be up to 3 feet long. The blades are widest at the base and get narrower as they extend and arch outward. It gets its name from the small green balls or bulblets that grow along the upper part of the stem. When they mature, they drop off and can start new Bulblet Ferns.
Their most striking feature this time of year is certainly the bright red stems, somewhat translucent with tiny hairs, as seen in the photo.The red stem is unusual and distinctive, but will turn green after the fiddleheads develop into leaves. When we first found them starting to grow out of the ground on March 31st, they were probably about 1/4 inch tall. While the leafy ball at the top continues to expand, it is especially the lengthening red stems which are noticeably different over time. When this photo was taken yesterday (4/8/25), the tallest fiddlehead was about 2 inches tall. A lot of growth proportionally for such a tiny fragile plant.
It is definitely the start of fern season now. Go out, explore, and enjoy!
Our first public Fern Walk this year will be Sunday April 27th from 1-3PM at Chard Pond in Sunderland. I wlll get something on our calendar soon.
Posted: to PV Fern News on Wed, Apr 9, 2025
Updated: Wed, Apr 9, 2025
