May 12, 2011
Cinnamon Fern Fiddleheads (Osmunda cinnamomea)
These fiddlehead (which grow near the path in back of the Water TreatmentFacility) are newly sprouted fronds (leaves) that are tightly wrapped. As theymature, they will unfurl to reveal bright green fronds. Cinnamon Ferns put allof their spores on special fronds that turn a warm cinnamon brown when the spores mature, creating the illusion of fronds covered in cinnamon - hence the name Cinnamon Fern
Photo by Carol Collura (Photo © 2011 Carol Collura)