SPINULOSE WOOD FERN 



were to look at this leaf through a magnifying glass, 



you would find that these dots were in double rows on 



each of the leaflets. They are round, but they have 



a kidney - shaped 



covering. The 



spore cases are 



peeping out from 



under the edges of 



this. 



All forms of 

 the spinulose fern 

 are evergreen. The 

 fronds turn brown 

 early in the spring. 

 One variety is 

 much used by flo- 

 rists in making up 

 designs. They use 

 this and the Christ- 

 mas fern more than 

 any others. A New 

 Orleans florist says that they are sent South b>^ mil- 

 Hons and kept in cold storage until wanted. 



Another form is very common in Alaska. Its 

 rootstock is the first vegetable food that the Alaska 

 Indians are able to get in spring. They dig it before 

 the fronds spring up and bake it in pits lined with hot 

 stones. It is said to have a sweetish taste, but that 



51 



The Spinulose Wood Fern. 



