Mountain Lines
by Nelson Haas
CINNAMON FERN – Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
A large fern of wet woodlands is in full “bloom” now. The fertile, spore-producing leaf stalks in the center of the plant are a rich, cinnamon-colored brown.
They grow from a dense, dark, wiry root ball called osmunda fiber which is used by horticulturists to grow orchids.
The young, emerging fiddleheads are covered with a cloak of white hairs used by birds in nest building.