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Why gather ferns on St. John's Eve?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

January 13, 2003

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Suggested Reading—>Click here.

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The female fern or bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (Linnaeus) Kuhn) [ter rid' ee um ak kwi li' num] grows around the world with twelve geographic varieties. Tri-pinnate leaves arise from an underground rhizome. The crosiers (curled fronds) have been eaten, but it is now known

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that the fern contains carcinogenic compounds.

John Gerard called the fern Filix foemina and recommended, "...the pouder hereof finely beaten is laid upon old ulcers, and healeth the galled neckes of oxen and other cattell...the root...cast into an hogshead of wine keepeth it from souring." But he strongly urged care in its use; the fern was considered an abortifacient, "...it killeth the childe in the mothers wombe...this bringeth barrennesse, especially to women; and it causeth women to be delivered before their time..." (The Herbal, 1633 edition)

Since ancient times, it was considered a plant with special powers. Carried, the fern fronds offered protection from witches. The stipe (leaf stem) cut obliquely near the rhizome shows a pattern in the shape of the Greek X (chi) the initial of Christ. Witches were said to detest the fern and flee at its sight. John Gerard (1597) and Linnaeus both thought the pattern more shaped like an eagle with wings spread. Aquilinum is Latin for eagle.

Like all ferns, female fern reproduces by spores. Not understanding the reproduction of ferns, people thought the minute dots 'fern seeds'. It was believed that the 'seeds' of female ferns were only visible on St. John's Eve. If one could gather the fronds at the precise moment that John the Baptist was born, the 'fern seeds' conferred invisibility upon the collector.

The Connecticut Botanical Society has two great photographs of Pteridium aquilinum taken by Janet Novak and Carol Levine. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/ferns/pteridiumaqui.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

What is the mystery of mistletoe cactus? Weird Plants - March 3, 2005
Give this fern a brake What's in a Name? - January 17, 2003
What fern loves arsenic? Weird Plants - November 15, 2001
What fern only looks like it's dead? Weird Plants - August 9, 2001
Golden Polypody (Phlebodium aureum) Plant of the Week - June 7, 2004

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Flowering Shade Garden Springhill Nursery®
		Experience the beauty of shade-loving Astilbe, Ferns, Hostas and Helleborus at special savings. The Flowering shade Garden contains three each of: Red Fanal Astilbe Deutschland Astilbe Peach Blossom Astilbe Royal Helleborus Mix And receive 1 each of: Christmas Fern Lady Fern Ostrich Plume Fern Green and White Hosta Royal Standard Hosta White-Edged Hosta Blue Hosta
This collection contains 19 plants in all! Red Fanal Astilbe (Red) (3), The all-time favorite for bringing gorgeous color to shady spots! Great accenting fresh bouquets and arrangements.. Deutschland Astilbe (White) (3), Mound-shaped perennials with fernlike foliage produce dozens of soft feathery flowers on 20-40" tall.. Peach Blossom Astilbe (Pink) (3), Mound-shaped perennials with fernlike foliage produce dozens of soft feathery flowers on 20-40" tall.. Helleborus Mix (3), Hybrid mix in a new color range--white, near black, purple, pink, green or yellow... Ostrich Plume Fern (1), Luxuriant, graceful fronds reach a length of 24-36" long and are 18" wide... Lady Fern (1), Versatile and hardy, tropical looking fern. Summer fronds up to 30" long and 12-24" wide are great for shady areas.. Christmas Fern (1), Graceful evergreen ferns, used by settlers for Christmas decorations.. Green and White Hosta (1), Two-tone ornamental with lilac flowers grows 15-20" tall. Is a low maintenance ground cover.. Royal Standard Hosta (1), Shapely, lush foliage. Scented white flowers. Grows 24-30" tall, 48" across. Is a low maintenance ground cover.. White Edged Hosta (1), Dramatic emerald leaves with white edges. Lavender flowers. Grows 15-24" high, 24-36" wide... Blue Hosta (1), Unusually large, blue-green leaves. Lavender blooms. This is a low maintenance ground cover.. Save $30.84!  Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! Click here for All Shade Plants!  Click here to view All Perennials.  Click here for All Gardens!
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		Hosta Ground Cover Mix Springhill Nursery® Hosta Ground Cover Mix adds excitement to those forgotten, shady corners of your landscape with this excellent mix of popular hosta varieties. Leaves range from heart- to lance-shaped to nearly round, displaying a wide assortment of colors and textures. Sends up mildly fragrant, white or purple blooms in midsummer. Height ranges from 15 to 36", spread from 20-60".
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