Bronze Fern

Description:

Most of this fern's frond was covered by a leave and remains green, while the exposed part of the frond has turned the purple-bronze of winter. It has an unusual growing season, with the new frond emerging in July and dying back in May. The frond often turns from green to a bronze color during the winter.

Habitat:

This is the most common grape fern throughout most of its range. It is a frequent denizen of disturbed lands, in moist forests, clearings and old fields often growing with Diphasiastrum digitatum and Asplenium platyneuron.

Notes:

Spotted along the Iron Hill Trail of red Top Mountain State Park