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Nature's Solace
Celebrating Nature in the Pacific Northwest
Native Plants
Plants of the Forest
Ferns - To me, ferns are the backbone of the Northwest forest. They may be the most prominent plant that you see (take a look at the above picture!) or their fronds are nicely interspersed among the other understory plants. Eight main species grow among - some even on - our towering trees. The oak fern is not shown here. Each is unique in shape, form, size, and habitat. Ferns are one of our ancient plants, dating back 360 million years ago. They are important to wildlife, providing shelter, food and a larval substrate and they were used by native people for edible and medicinal purposes.
Sword fern - Polystichum munitum A forest filled with waist high sword fern gives the sense of walking down prehistoric lane. This shrub-like fern can live 500 years or more! The leaves had many uses for the coastal native people, including flooring and bedding. The rhizomes were eaten.
Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum pedatum - my personal favorite for its deep black stem which creates beautiful baskets. This is the fern of water - found where it is very wet, including spray zones - even on rock faces where the water drips through its frond. Medicinally used as a cough medicine.
This field of licorice fern is unusual in that it is not growing on the tree. It does have the typical mossy substrate. Located in the Columbia Gorge, Oregon.
Licorice Fern - Polypodium glycyrrhiza This fern has the unusual habit of growing
in the moss of tree trunks and branches, logs and boulders. It will die back with the moss during the summer droughts. Having a sweet licorice flavor, the rhizomes were eaten by several tribal people. Medicinally used for colds and sore throats.
Deer Fern - Blechnum spicant More delicate looking than the sword fern, this fern likes it moist or wet. An important winter food for deer and elk in some areas. The leaves have been used medicinally for skin sores and as a hunger suppresent.
Wood Fern - Dryopteris expansa
Bracken Fern - Pteridium aquilinum These ferns grow 2 - 4 feet and singly. While they grow in many habitats, they are often found on open and disturbed sites. All parts of the plant contains toxic compounds that are poisonous to humans and livestock. However, the rhizomes were harvested and eaten by several coastal tribes.
Lady Fern - Athyrium filix-femina
This fern is easily identified by its shape - being wider in the center and tapering
on both ends. The edible fiddleheads are the main ones foraged in the Northwest.
Resources:
Plants of the Pacific Northwest by Pojar and Mackinnon 1994
The Role of Ferns - Sierra Club
A Guide to Ferns of the Pacific Northwest - Intocascadia
Ferns - Native Plants PNW
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