Cinnamon Fern
Interesting Facts about the Cinnamon Fern
Ferns come in a variety of species, each unique such as the cinnamon fern. This particular species of fern is quite large, with leaves growing up to six feet long and one foot wide. In their natural environment, these ferns are found growing in large clumps in moist areas such as marshes, ditches, banks along streams, ponds, and rivers, and in woods. Interestingly, the leaves of this fern come in one of two types. First, the leaves are large and green in color. Second, the leaves are small that initially have a vibrant green color that soon turns to the color of cinnamon, thus the name.
One of the unique features of the cinnamon fern with the smaller leaves is that they have sori. The sori are what produce spores that are similar to seeds in that they are used to produce other fern. As the wind blows, these spores drop from the fern and when settled, a new fern would start to grow in that very spot where they landed. For this reason, seeing the cinnamon fern in clumps is common.
During early springtime, young fronds will start to grow. At first, the fronds are nothing more than a thin, wispy stem, which uncoils into the leafy frond. When young, the fronds of the cinnamon fern are known as “fiddleheads”, a favorite food of many types of wildlife such as rabbits, white-tailed deer, etc. However, after a number of fronds have grown into a large size, others that are still small will develop sori. In a few months, the cinnamon fern will stop producing new fronds altogether, instead growing spores that again, help create new ferns.
Along with the cinnamon fern being an important food source for animals, the fiddleheads are enjoyed by humans. This part of the fern can be boiled to produce a tasty food item although not many people eat the fiddleheads. Instead, this type of fern is a popular addition to the backyard, garden area, or grown in large containers. If you wanted to create a more inviting space on the backyard deck or patio, placing several containers with this type of fern inside would add beauty and interest.
Another interesting fact about the cinnamon fern is that they have rhizomes, which are stems that actually grown beneath the ground. For this, the fern will grow underground and spread, soon resulting in new ferns appearing on the surface. When looking in nature and seeing a huge group of ferns, which is called a “colony”, this is an identifier of the rhizomes doing their job. In other words, multiple ferns will start growing below the ground’s surface so when they appear on top, they are in large bunches.
The cinnamon fern is also found often growing beneath several types of trees to include the Eastern White Pine, Red Maple, Virginia Pine, Black Oak, White Oak, and Loblolly Pine. Additionally, this species of fern is found growing next to certain plants such as the Greenbrier and Highbush Blueberry. No matter where the cinnamon fern grows, because of the size this plant becomes a natural place of protection for smaller animals in the wild. Because of this, it is common to find frogs, squirrels, birds, snakes, and a variety of insects making their home within this type of fern.