| One of the few
plants to remain
green and last right through even
over the harshest of winters are
the ferns. Probably the most
common fern is bracken which occurs almost all over the world except Antarctica. Bracken covers the floor of most pine
forests and in fact can be quite
an invasive problem, smothering
all other
plant life which could grow
there. Ferns are one of the oldest plant forms starting life
on this planet around one hundred million years ago. There are many examples
of fossils with frondy, fern impressions to date them and prove this. Ferns are
flowerless and like fungi produce thousands of spores. When wandering along the
hedgerows, look at the underside
of any fern leaves and, depending upon the type you find, you will see brown, white or black scales. These are the spore cases. Although terns are flowerless they
have a beauty of their own I think.
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Hedgerow
Harvest
By
Jennifer Green
March
- Ferns
|
When
new shoots gently start to unfurl at the centre
of the plant they always remind me of uncurling kittens, indeed with most ferns the tips
are covered
with very fine "nans" adding
to this impression. Medicinally I can only find two
references to their properties,
both of which require the root to be crushed and taken internally
mixed with honey, and is said to expel worms from the body
and remove obstructions from the liver and spleen, but
since I can find no reference anywhere which suggest that these plants can be eaten by man or animal I would be reluctant
to try it. In the past bracken was used as bedding for farm animals
and their owners and the leaves once processed were used to dye wool
producing a rich brown colour. One other thing about
ferns. Adders love
to live amongst them, so make sure when wandering
through woods full of these
plants, that you watch where you
step. |
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Remember
the health of the hedgerow is in our hands. Only take what is in
abundance and never over pick plants. Only eat what you are absolutely
sure about, a good reference book will come in handy. Never dig
up plants to transfer to your own garden, not only is it against
the law, it is morally wrong. Do not pick plants which are endangered
or are rare, again a reference book will point these out. And lastly,
if you pick to eat, watch where you collect from. Remember someone
may have passed that way earlier with their dear little pooch.
©Jennifer
Green.
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