Fern
Ferns are one of the most easily recognizable plants in Nova Scotia because of their unique shape. The Mi’kmaq recognize ferns and fiddleheads as “ma’ausi” (maa-su-si). There is a range of different species within Atlantic Canada: macphailwoods.org/nature-guides/ferns
Growing low to the ground in forests, fields and some gardens, ferns prefer areas that are shady and damp. They don’t like to live in areas that are too wet. Ferns don’t have typical roots but have a rhizome, a horizontal root, connecting multiple ferns and acting as an anchor in the ground.
The fern has two different structures; the primary form is the one we associate with ferns. This form has large stems growing out of the ground with blade-like leaves, each with smaller leaves called pinnate (pin-ate). This entire structure is called a frond. Spores grow on the back of the fronds in little brown and yellow mounds. The spores are released, become established in the ground, and grow into the ferns’ second structure in small oval-shaped plants that have both male and female parts. The plant fertilizes itself, becoming a zygote (z-i-goat), which then grows into the primary structure.
Seasonal growth
Ferns can be found in their secondary form for a year or two, depending on the species, before growing into their primary structures.
Fiddleheads appear in the spring when the fern is tightly coiled and slowly expands into the primary fern structure. They begin to produce spores mid-summer and release them before fall. In the fall they change colours like the trees, moving from green to yellow and brown in autumn.
Ecosystem Role
Ferns play an important role in the ecosystem, feeding rabbits, deer, turkeys, and a large range of other animals and birds, including insects. They also provide shelter and homes for animals. They have been around since before the dinosaur, so they are considered one of the oldest life forms on earth.
Traditional Use
Indigenous people have used different species of ferns for their medicinal properties, as the rhizomes, fiddleheads and leaves have unique healing properties. One of the most popular uses is for the treatment of bruises and kidney problems. They are also commonly used to start fires as they are extremely flammable when dried.
Never try to eat or use ferns for medicinal purposes if you are unsure of the species or effect, and always check with an adult first before picking any ferns.
Fiddleheads:
Fiddleheads are a popular side dish in Nova Scotia due to their availability and their health benefits. Ostrich fern is the fern usually harvested for fiddleheads. (To identify the ostrich fern use the fern key: https://macphailwoods.org/nature-guides/ferns/ostrich-fern/.) NOT all ferns are edible so it’s important to identify the fern before eating (or buy them from a local vendor). It’s also important to consider where they are picked as well how they are cooked.
Pick fiddleheads from a clean environment, away from human waste and areas of still (not moving) water. They should be picked when they are covered with their brown covering. Cut a maximum of one third the fiddleheads in the area. This will help to make sure that the fern population stays sustainable. Spring to early summer is the best time to harvest.
Once they are picked, properly wash them. Place them in a bowl of water and thoroughly rinse them. Make sure to change the water you are using to wash them. Remove all the dirt and their papery covering. You are done washing them when they are bright green and the wash water remains clear. DO NOT EAT THEM RAW!
Cut off the end of the stems (the brown parts) and prepare a pot of boiling water. Boil them a minimum of seven to ten minutes with a little bit of salt. After cooking the fiddleheads, it’s important to throw out the water as it becomes very bitter.
The fiddleheads are then ready to be eaten as a side dish or used in further recipes. For recipes, see: https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/best-fiddlehead-recipes-for-spring/#!Fiddlehead-Tart-Recipe
Always have adult supervision when picking and cooking fiddleheads.
Emilie Knighton
