8 FERNS 



marginal shield fern (Dryopteris marginalis) 

 is undisturbed by early winter storms, but, 

 burdened with snow to the tips, the fronds 

 settle close to earth, retaining their freshness 

 and colour, but never relaxing their protecting 

 clasp until life stirs in the springtime. When 

 fresh young fronds unfurl their sails the tale 

 of an evergreen fern is told. 



