Post on 13-Mar-2021
oGREEN SPLEENWORT
(Asplcnium viridc)
oMAIDENHAIR
SPLEENWORT
(Asplcnium trichomancs)
J
•tr-O \|FRAGILE FERN
(Cystoptcris fragilis)
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SMOOTH CLIFFBRAKE FERN
(Pellaea glabella)
SLENDER CLIFFBRAKE PURPLE-STEMMED CLIFFBRAKE
(Cryplogramina stcllcri) (Pellaea atropurpurea)
Ov' O'X 'ORUSTY WOODSIA FERN COMMON POLYPODY WALKING FERN
(Woodsia ilvensis) (Polypodium virginianum) (Camplosonis rhizophyllus)
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NORTHERN BEECH FERN OAK FERN EBONY SPLEENWORT(Tliclypicris phcgopteris) (Gymnocaipium dryopteris) (Asplcnium platyncuron)
LEATHERY CRAPE FERN
(Botrychium mullindum)
FRAGRANT CLIFF FERN
(Dryopteris fragrans)ROBERTS FERN
(Gymnocaipium robertianum)
0WALL RUE FERN
(Asplenium nua-muraria)
Welcome To Owen Sound.The Fern Capital of Ontario.byNelson Maker
Green and graceful, ferns embody a charm that is almostuniversal. The lush symmetry of their arching fronds drawsmany a weary city-dweller back towoodlands, escarpments andstreams, even if the tired traveller is unable to tell one fern fromanother. And ferns are somehow the emblem ofa shady forest, asymbol of itscoll solitude and repose, inspiring a poetical turnofmind in eventhe mostprosaic of us. Surely no Gardenof Edenwould be complete without them.
Today a garden of ferns can be found in Grey & BruceCounties between the Rocky Saugeen north of Durham and justsouth ofLion's Head. Here lies the best area for ferns in Ontarioif not all of North America. Over 40 varieties of ferns, some ofthemrare,grow inmostly headyprofusion (unlike otherareasofOntario that usually have fewer than 25).The cast side of thepeninsula, where the whitecliffs plunge deeply into GeorgianBay, has the greatest diversityand numbers of ferns because somany of them thrive on the limestoneescarpment,both in thewooded areas on top and on the face and the talus below.So ifyou'd like to delvea littledeeper into the worldof ferns, Grey-Bruce is the place to be.
Ferns are one of the oldest living organisms on the face ofthe earth existing 350million yearsago.The prehistoric fern hasbeen usedbyarchaeologists to determine the ageof the layersofthe earth.
Inglis Falls is one of the most scenic spots to observe avariety of ferns. Hart's Tongue, Northern Holly and GreenSpleenwort are among the twenty or more ferns whichare seenwithin the sound ofthe waterfall. This area is one ofGrey SaubleConservation Authority properties.
The Walking Fern,whichis the symbol ofthe BruceTrail,isfairlyeasilyspottedalong die escarpment from OwenSound toWiarton, but Bruce's Caves at Oxenden is a great place to visitsummer or winter. Yes, even in winter because many ferns likethe Walking Fern are evergreen and found on the bigbouldersin front of the caves.
One of my favourite spots to visit is Black's Park off 6thAvenue Westin Owen Sound. The twenty-eight species of ferns Ihave found there include both Smooth and Slender Cliffbrake,Maidenhair Spleenwort on the face of the escarpment, withChristmas and Goldies' Fern above in the woodlot. It is apleasantwalk andjoinsthe Bruce Trailwhich skirts the city fromthis point.
The smallest fern, the Wall-Rue is found above the caves onthe Georgian BayTrail at Cyprus Lake in the Bruce PeninsulaNational Park as well as on Flower Pot Island. This fern is rare;only found elsewhere in a few stations in Michigan and onManitoulin Island.
Kemble Hill and Massie Hills ski trail hosts many ferns;notable among them the Large Male Fern, Holly and Hart'sTongue.The Indian Potholesof Hope Bay, Dyer's BayJunctionat Highway 6,theTobermory Bogand Walker's Woods atSaubleBeach are all great spots for locating various species.
Many ferns are on private property but most private land isquiteaccessable. Ifyou tellthem aboutyourbotanical interests,most owners are very friendly and in many cases will give youdirections. However,they may not be as hospitable if you showupwitha largegroupof people whocan easilydamagesensitiveareas.
"Take nothingbut photos, leave onlyyour thanks. "
FERN CHECKLIST
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FEDN PRINTS5Y NELSON MAHED
Complete set ofLife-size Prints are available.&tan Brown Printers Ltd.. Owen Sound
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noveborace
MA
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NH
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(Adiantum
pedatum)
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(Matteuccia
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(Dryopteris
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(Dryopteris
spinulosa)(D
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OC
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mea)
OINT
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LA
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FE
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MA
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(Dryopteris
filix-mas)
OB
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CK
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FE
RN
(Pteridium
aquilinum)
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SIL
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GL
AD
EF
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GO
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FE
RN
(Dryopteris
goldiana)
OS
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FE
RN
(On
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sensibilis)
FE
RN
nsis)(T
helypterispalustris)
(Polystichumacrostichoides)
(Polystichumlonchitis)
(Botrychium
virginianum)
(Athyrium
pycnocarpon)(A
thyriumthelypterioidcs)
(Woodw
ardiavirginica)