The sword fern, Polystichum munitum, is the most common fern in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. This beautiful and rugged fern thrives under a wide variety of conditions, especially shady, moist woodlands. It is evergreen, sending up new fronds from the center of the plant every spring. Outer fronds age, turn brown, and wither at the base of the plant as the years pass forming a protective mulch and smothering competing plants.
This picture was taken during a prolonged period of subfreezing foggy weather in the mid-90s. We haven't had a cold spell like that one in Northwest Oregon since that time. Coincidence, or global warming?
Ash Creek Images
Photographs of the West by Doug Gorsline
Rime Frost Fringes a Sword Fern, Chehalem Mountains near Newberg, Oregon.
All materials on this site are copyright 1992-2007 by Doug Gorsline / ashcreekimages.com.
