News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Scapes: 2006

SCAPES.HM.032906.JRR
April 29, 2006 Staff photo by John Rottet
Spring. Spring ahead. Spring forward. Even the sound of the season conjures up motion. This Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) appears to be wound up like a spring as it slowly opens up now that spring is upon us. This is called a fiddlehead because of its resemblance to the head of a violin. Ferns are a very ancient family of plants: Early fern fossils date to the Paleozoic Era, 360 million years ago. They are older than land animals and far older than the dinosaurs. They were thriving on Earth for 200 million years before the flowering plants evolved. To learn more about ferns check out these web sites: http://www.home.aone.net.au/~byzantium/ferns/about.html
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets2/annperbulb/jul87pr3.html
http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/ferns/polystichumacro.html
About This Project


John Rottet
In "Scapes" photojournalist John Rottet looks at the places where we live, work and play. He will explore the beauty of nature, the elegance of architecture and the details of the surroundings that make our community unique.

More photos: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 through August | 2007

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