1

THE HARDY FERN FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 3797

Federal Way, WA 98063-3797
Web site: www.hardvfems.org

The Hardy Fern Foundation was founded in 1989 to establish a comprehen¬
sive collection of the world’s hardy ferns for display, testing, evaluation, public
education and introduction to the gardening and horticultural community. Many
rare and unusual species, hybrids and varieties are being propagated from
spores and tested in selected environments for their different degrees of
hardiness and ornamental garden value.

The primary fern display and test garden is located at, and in conjunction with,
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden at the Weyerhaeuser Corporate
Headquarters, in Federal Way, Washington.

Satellite fern gardens are at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham,
Alabama, California State University at Sacramento, California, Coastal Maine
Botanical Garden, Boothbay , Maine. Dallas Arboretum, Dallas, Texas, Denver
Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado, Georgeson Botanical Garden, University
of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, Harry R Leu Garden, Orlando, Florida, Inniswood
Metro Gardens, Columbus, Ohio, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx,

New York, and Strybing Arboretum, San Francisco, California.

The fern display gardens are at Bainbridge Island Library. Bainbridge Island,
WA, Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue, WA, Lakewold, Tacoma, Washington,
Lotusland, Santa Barbara, California, Les Jardins de Metis, Quebec, Canada,
Rotary Gardens, Janesville, Wl, and Whitehall Historic Home and Garden,
Louisville, KY.

Hardy Fern Foundation members participate in a spore exchange, receive a
quarterly newsletter and have first access to ferns as they are ready for
distribution.

Cover design by Willanna Bradner

HARDY FERN FOUNDATION QUARTERLY

THE HARDY FERN FOUNDATION

QUARTERLY

President’s Message

Patrick Kennar

Woodsia scopulina

Mountain cliff fern, Rocky mountain woodsia

James R. Horrocks

27-28

Welcome New Members . 28

Ferns of Hawai‘i , Part II . 29-33

Joan Eiger Gottlieb

Tickled Pink with Pyrrosias . 34-35, 38

Blog by Nancy Strahle

Color Photos . 36-37

The Victorian Fern Craze . 39-40

Jennifer Ide

HFF Fern Festival Announcement . 40

International Symposium on Ferns and Fern Allies:

Diversity, Bioprospection and Conservation . 41-43

Joanne M. Sharpe

The Indian Fern Society . 44-47

Dr. S. P. Khullar

Dryopteris cristata named by Linnaeus

What Was He Thinkng?? . 48

Jan van Twisk

Volunteering for the Hardy Fern Foundation . 48

Carolyn Doherty

MM. mmM imMikm mm mMMa. m m

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 25

SPRING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 201 1

Spring greetings,

The Pacific Northwest is experiencing one of the wettest and coolest springs since 1945.
Our fern population is slow to emerge and the fronds from last year look more stressed
than ever.

A small group of Hardy Fern Foundation board members and volunteers, Willanna
Bradner and Nancy Daar planted approximately 100 ferns at the Bellevue Botanical
Garden this past April weekend. We were rewarded by a nice, sunny, albeit cool breezy
day to complete our task. This was a timely event, as on the following Saturday, April,
16, we will participate in an Earth Day-Arbor Day 201 1 celebration also at the Bellevue
Botanical Garden. The Hardy Fern Foundation will have a booth offering plants for
sale along with brochures and information regarding care of ferns. The competition
with other plant sales occurring in the area and the lateness of spring weather will prove
to be a challenge in providing plants but we look forward to sharing both information
and plants with the public.

We are pleased to announce that the Netherlands Fern Society (Nederlandse Varen-
vereniging ) and the Indian Fern Society have requested reciprocal relationships with the
HFF. We are very happy to participate in this exchange. Dr. S. P. KJiullar, a well known
author and secretary of the Indian Society presents an article describing their history,
activities and membership information on page 44 of this issue. An article featuring the
Netherlands Fern Society will appear in a future issue.

We continue to pursue the opportunity to establish a small fern garden in the name of
Dr. Jack Docter at the Children’s Hospital in Bellevue, Washington. Hopefully we will
come together with a plan soon.

If any of our members would like to visit the main display garden and stumpery at Rho¬
dodendron Species Foundation Garden, please contact us for directions or a tour. After
all, this garden belongs to every one of you and we hope you will be able to enjoy it.

Fern Festival 201 1 will be Friday, June 3-4, 2011 at the Center For Urban Horticulture.
Marietta O’ Byrne, noted shade gardening and hellebore expert will lecture. Please see
the notice in this issue of the Quarterly.

Thanks to all of you who have participated in the past to make our organization an on¬
going success.

In 201 1, 7 billion people will populate the earth and with finite resources and infinite
consumption, preservation and replenishment of the environment should stimulate all of
us to be better gardeners.

Happy gardening, especially feming,

Patrick D. Kennar

26 - Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Woodsia scopulina

Mountain cliff fern, Rocky mountain woodsia

James R. Horrocks
Salt Lake City, UT

The genus Woodsia was named in honor of the British architect and botanist Joseph
Woods in 1813 by Robert Brown. The genus includes about 40 species worldwide in
temperate climates of mainly the northern hemisphere but also in high mountains of the
tropics and in the southern hemisphere as well. They are found mostly on exposed sites
among rocks and quite tolerant of sunny exposures, especially in alpine areas. The spe¬
cies name "scopulina” alludes to "rocky places" and also "bristly". It is described as
epipetric in cliffs and ledges, rock crevices, under rocks on soil, and on talus slopes, the
soil being sub-acid. It is frequently encountered from 4000 to 12000 foot elevations. It
is considered rare and disjunct in Quebec and the Great Lakes area but more widespread
in western North America from coastal Alaska south to central California, Arizona,
Utah and across to, once again, disjunct populations in Arkansas to North Carolina.

W. scopulina is rather variable and has been divided recently into three subspecies, al¬
though in A Monographic Study of The Fern Genus Woodsia (1964) by D. F. M. Brown,
the variety appalachiana was not considered consistently different from variety
scopulina. (See photo pg. 37) Be that as it may, this species and its varieties are often
confused with W. oregana and, where their ranges overlap, with W. mexicana, and it
often takes an expert to tell the difference. An additional problem concerns the occa¬
sional difficulties in distinguishing some Woodsia species from Cystopteris, particularly
when they are quite young or when they are so mature that the true structure of the sori
and indusia are not clear. However, Cystopteris has thinner, more transparent fronds
with distinct veins while in Woodsia the fronds are a thicker opaque green with indis¬
tinct or obscure veins. The old broken off stipes persist in Woodsia but are absent in
Cystopteris and the spores of woodsias are brown while those of cystopteris are black.

W. scopulina hybridizes with W ilvensis producing the sterile diploid W. x abbeae in
the Great Lakes area and there is also a probable cross with tetraploid plants of W.
oregana to produce the sterile triploid W. x maxonii from Ontario, Canada.

Description: The rhizome is erect to ascending, producing glossy chestnut-brown stipes
that are darker at the base. The stipes display concolorous pale brown scales or even
bicolorous scales with dark brown central stripes. The stipes are not articulate, that is,
they lack joints as in W. ilvensis , but like many other woodsias, the stipes break off un¬
evenly and persist. The deciduous fronds are from 4 to 12 inches long, about the same
length as W. oregana and W. mexicana. By contrast, the fronds of W. obtusa can be 16
inches long, putting them in the same league with the comparatively lengthy W. man-
churiensis from northeastern Asia and the Himalayan W. elongata. The fronds of W.
scopulina are elliptic-lanceolate, pinnate-pinnatifid, and widest at or below the middle
of the frond. The pinnae taper toward the base, often ending in greatly reduced distant
pinnae. The apex of the frond is somewhat congested and acute. The pinnae are oblong-
lanceolate and pinnatifid, acute, with glandular hairs on the underside. The oblong pin-

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 27

nules are crenate-serrate to lobed, the apex obtuse, the base broadly decurrent. The sori
are found near the margins and the indusia are split into narrow segments, becoming
inconspicuous at maturity.

Culture: Lellinger mentions that this species is cultivated in moist garden soil in partial
sun in rock gardens of cooler climates. The variety or subspecies appalachiana has re¬
sponded to cultivation perhaps more so than the type species. Here in Utah, where the
valleys can become quite hot in summer, this quaint little fern is best left in the moun¬
tains where it is encountered no less than ten miles from my home. It prefers a sub-acid
soil and is usually found, at least in Utah, only in areas of igneous or metamorphic
rocks, never on limestone. For those who live in cooler climes, this little gem may be
willing to adapt to a partly sunny, rocky habitat with a cool root run.

References: Encyclopedia of Garden Ferns (2007) Sue Olsen, Timber Press, Portland

A Field Manual of the Ferns and Fern Allies of the United States and Canada (1985)
David B, Lellinger, Smithsonian Institute Press, Washington D.C.

The Fern Guide (1961) Edgar T. Wherry, Double Day, New York

Ferns of Utah (1944) Seville Flowers, University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Fern Growers Manual (Revised - 2001) Barbara Joe Hoshizaki and Robbin C. Moran,
Timber Press, Portland

A Monographic Study of the Fern Genus Woodsia (1964) Donald F. M.
Brown, Verlag Von J. Cramer, Weinheim, Germany

Welcome JVem Jlem&exa

Q*ey Qxaoe*
Moliie Qxomdy&e
(Indy Mill
Sam fPatUaen
£amy <C ®<Mie Quick

28 - Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

FERNS OF HAWAI‘1 - Part II

Joan Eiger Gottlieb
Pittsburgh, PA

“Ferns of Hawai‘i” (September 13-23, 2010) was the fourth extended workshop spon¬
sored by The University of California (Berkeley)/Jepson Herbarium, each taught by
neotropical fern specialist, Dr. Alan R. Smith. It was an irresistible opportunity to savor
the ferns of “paradise.”

Part II. HAWAPI ISLAND

The Big Island of Hawaii is aptly called “The Volcano Island,” although all
the major land masses in the Hawaiian chain are volcanic in origin. It is twice the size
of all the other islands combined (95 miles north-south and 80 miles east-west) and is
home to several massive volcanic peaks, including Mauna Kea (arguably the tallest
peak in the world at nearly 14,000’ above sea level and 18,000’ below the water).
Mauna Loa, almost as high, is equally impressive and both peaks can sport seasonal
snowcaps. Kilauea is the lowest peak at only 4,078’ above water but is the most active,
erupting nearly a hundred times over the past century.

First impressions of this youngest Hawaiian Island were favorable. The large
presence of Volcanoes National Park and the good work of several active environmental
groups (e.g. The Nature Conservancy, Pele Defense Fund, Earthjustice et al.) offer hope
that the balance between development and conservation may be struck more equitably
here than it has on many of the other islands. Our accommodations at Volcano Inn in
Volcano Village (near the National Park Headquarters) were energy-efficient units nes¬
tled into a restored grove of Cibotium. Rooms were above the canopy or snuggled
against the foliage of these impressive tree ferns - a most “frondly” view.

Six fern-rich sites were explored, starting with the Qla‘a Forest Reserve
(elevation 3,800’ - 4,400’), only a short distance from the inn. As with most remnant
forests on the islands, this one is completely fenced to keep out destructive, introduced
ungulates. The Reserve is a research area of Volcano National Park and is divided into
transects and tracts by a confusing array of colored ribbons and metallic markers.
Scampering (ungracefully by some) over the sturdy fence at Tracts 18 and 16, and bush¬
whacking our way along the blue ribbon “line,” we tried to leave the area as undisturbed
as possible. Our reward was being part of a nearly pristine rain forest dominated by Ci¬
botium glaucum and C. menziesiL Other old friends were quickly spotted, e.g. Gram-
mitis tenella , Psilotum complanatum, Elaphoglossum paleaceum , Pneumatopteris
sandwicensis, Nothoperanema rubiginosa, Asplenium contiguum , and many more.
Four new finds were added to the trip list -Asplenium lobulatum (bearing a vegetative
bud), Grammitis hookeri, Mecodium recurvum, and Vandenboschia davallioides. (See
photo pg. 37) Having no developed trails, these tracts were the most difficult of the trip
and ended in a panicky retreat when Amanda Vernon and Alan Smith were attacked by

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 29

a colony of very angry wasps. Despite painful bites and swellings both team leaders
recovered well and were ready for the next day’s forays - a great relief for all.

The Thurston Lava Tube at Kilauea Volcano lies at the base of a steep in¬
cline into a pit crater surrounded by rain forest. Near the trail entrance Amauropelta
globulifera arched over the bank and a discussion of thelypteroid fern characters en¬
sued. Nearer the tube itself Macrothelypteris torresiana and Selaginella kraussiana
were added to the list of “in the wild” finds. Lava tubes develop when channelized lava
flows harden at the surface while hot, molten lava continues to move on and out below,
leaving a cylinder that can be up to 30’ in diameter. Thurston is about 600’ long and 10’
high and wide. Walking through lava tubes can be treacherous, but Thurston is paved,
lighted, and well ventilated, with plant roots penetrating the ceiling and pale plants of
Adiantum raddianum growing around the light sconces.

Kilauea Iki Trail in the same area of Volcanoes N.P. descends into a large,
collapsed crater of Kilauea through a beautiful fern forest. We reviewed previous fern
finds and puzzled over the identities of many juvenile plants thriving on the moist
banks. On fractured lava surrounding the crater Polypodium pellucidum var. vulcani-
cum , ( see photo pg. 37) was a new find. It has long, narrow blades, thick, numerous,
crowded, overlapping pinnae, and the diagnostic translucent veins implied in its species
name. The more widespread P. pellucidum var. pellucidum grew nearby in more
wooded areas uphill of the crater. According to Palmer’s book, these are true varieties
(rather than ecotypes) because in cultivation the lobes of var. vulcanicum remain more
numerous and closely packed, indicating permanent genetic change. In the crater area
large stands of a sun ecotype of Nephrolepis exaltata shared the lava fissures with Vac-
cinium reticulatum (Ericaceae), Styphelia tameiameide (Epaceridaceae), and other flow¬
ering shrubs.

The Kipuka Puaulu Loop Trail off the Kilauea Road in Volcanoes N.P. cir¬
cles an old lava island surrounded by more recent flows. It has well-developed soil and
is considered a bird and plant sanctuary. A family of introduced Kalij pheasants crossed
our path several times and native forest birds were sighted in the trees. Normally a
mesic koa forest, the area was obviously suffering from the long drought afflicting Ha¬
waii. Crispy fronds of Asplenium trichomanes subsp. densum and A . adiantum-
nigrum were found near the trail entrance. On the other hand, bracken - Pteridium
aquilinum var. decompositum was in prime condition, giving us a chance to note its
“pinched” pinna character and heavy undersurface hairiness. Cyrtomium falcatum , C.
caryotideum , and Pteris cretica were in good condition.

An evening trip to the drivable end of Chain of Craters Road brought “oo’s”
and “ah’s” for its red-tinged vent “smoke” after dark. The landscape here is subject to
sporadic volcanic activity and dangerous sulfurous fumes. Shore-hugging villages in
Kalapana and Kaimu were annihilated recently by advancing lava flows from volcanic
vents eight miles upland. This is one of the most unstable areas in the world. At the
coast lava spills into the sea creating spumes of liquids and solids, plus acres of new
land!

Two Nature Conservancy (TNC) preserves on the western (Kona) side of Ha-

30 - Spring 2011 Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

wai‘i provided a grand finale for the workshop. The preserves, at between 3,000’ and
6,000’ elevation on the flanks of Mauna Loa are not open for public use and are accessi¬
ble from the nearest paved surface only by 4-wheeled transport over bone-bouncing
lava tracks. Conservancy personnel met us with appropriate vehicles, opened each of
several locked gates en route, and served as knowledgeable guides on the trails. The
preserves, formerly natural areas at the edge of ranches, have been fenced and hunted
free of feral pigs.

Kona Hema Preserve was first. Laura Nelson from The Nature Conservancy
met us and introduced Mel Johansen, manager of the 4,000 acre preserve acquired
piecemeal since 1998. An adjacent parcel of equal size is state forest “managed.” The
area was covered by a large lava flow in 1926 and Mel’s grandfather camped on the
cooling lava at the time. On the lower trail, at 3,000’ elevation, iconic specimens of
Sadleria cyatheoides were common, spreading pink (young), green (mature), and skirts
of gray (dead) fronds over bare lava rock, exactly as pictured on the cover of Palmer’s
book. Both varieties of Polypodium pellucidum were here. Sun-bleached, weirdly or¬
ange specimens of Psilotum nudum and Phymatosorus grossus were companion pio¬
neers on aging, lichen-covered lava. As we entered a koa forest Hawai‘i amakihi were
quickly spotted. Based on color, size, and bill variations, it appears that these birds are
evolving into different species on the Hawaiian islands much as the finch and mocking¬
bird did in the Galapagos There were stunning specimens of Dryopteris wallichiana
and D. glabra. Dryopteris hawaiiensis was a “new find” - a handsome fern with dark,
prominent scales on its rachises and costae. Fertile, green plants of Asplenium adian-
tum-nigrum and A. trichomanes subsp. densum were a joy after the disappointing,
crispy ones at Kipuka Puaulu. Huge plants of Pteris excelsa were here as well as a sin¬
gle specimen of Pteris hillebrandii - a putative hybrid between P. cretica and P. irregu¬
laris. It resembles its P. cretica parent, but has a partially winged rachis and random
projections from its basal pinnae - genetic nods toward P. irregularis.

After lunch on the porch of the Nature Conservancy cabin (which has accom¬
modations for researchers) it was back into the 4-wheelers for the climb to a 6,000’ sec¬
tion of the reserve. Weathered lava along the fence was home to several plants of Pel-
laea ternifolia , a diploid Hawaiian strain in a generally tetraploid complex. They were
the subject of a trailside talk by workshop participant Lavne Huiet based on her recent
research using genetic markers. The Hawaiian Pellaea plants appear to have originated
from New World sources in the southwestern U.S. or Mexico. An invasive, prostrate
Polygonum sp. hugged the surface of the lava trail. Two introduced, naturalizing ferns -
Pteris vittata and Adiantum hispidulum - were seem A great find was Polystichum
hillebrandii , ( See photo pg. 36) an endemic beauty of Asian origin, forming impressive
clumps in old pasture grass. Its young stipes are endowed with impressive, bushy, or¬
ange-red scales. On the Hono Moleno Loop Trail through a tract of verdant rain forest
we saw colonies of Selaginella arbuscula perched on a moist ledge, as well as what
appeared to be our first sighting of Elaphoglossum parvisquameum. Along the trail
TNC staff members recently planted 600 seedlings of Pritchardia schattaueri , an en¬
demic palm known from only 14 remaining wild specimens.

Our last day was spent exploring a second Nature Conservancy Preserve -
Kaiholena. John Replogle and Shalan Crvsdale were our drivers and guides to a 3,500-

Spring 2011 - 3 1

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

acre area that has had partnership fencing with the Tri-Mountain Alliance (local, state,
and national groups) since 1962. There is abutting acreage on which ranching is permit¬
ted, keeping developers at bay. Our shoes were thoroughly brush-cleaned of clinging
seeds, a Polynesian chant was recited to announce our presence, and off we went on a
trail through a fern-rich, wet forest. Many species we had come to know and love were
growing lushly. Elaphoglossum parvisquameum was vigorous here, with clear, identi¬
fying characters, including parallel veins that coalesce along the frond edge, adding
confidence that we had, in fact, seen it the previous day. There were fertile specimens of
Callistopteris baldmnii , a stunning, endemic, filmy fern with fronds that resemble erect
feathers on the wet forest duff. Another filmy species, Vandenboschia cyrtotheca went
onto our record list. A “nursery” of young Marattia douglasii sporophytes was of inter¬
est, and a juvenile, non-fertile plant of Ophioderma pendulum was dangling from a
Cibotium trunk, another first for the list. Cibotium chamissoi was also a “first-time”
fern find. It has a thin trunk draped in a skirt of dead fronds.

Hawaii has three endemic fern genera - Adenophorus with 9-10 species
(Grammitidaceae), Diellia with 6 rare species (Aspleniaceae; recent molecular evidence
suggests that Diellia belongs in a polymorphic Asplenium), and Sadleria with 6 species
(Blechnaceae). Altogether there are ca. 106 endemic fern and 8 fern ally species on the
islands. There are also endemic subspecies and varieties that add to the total. Most ferns
encountered during the workshop are described by Palmer as “found on all major is¬
lands.” Notable exceptions are the Kauai endemics Adenophorus epigaeus, ( See photo
pg. 36) Cibotium nealiae , and Sadleria wagnerianay the last restricted to the Koke‘e
area. Asplenium trichomanes subsp. densum and Polystichum hillebrandii are known
only from Maui and Hawaii. Elaphoglossum aemulum, seen more than once on
Kauai and known from several of the other major islands, has not made its way to the
Big Island. On the other hand, E. parvisquameum and Polypodium pellucidum var.
vulcanicum, so striking on Hawaii, and known from a couple of the other islands, are
missing from Kauai. It is notable that widespread genera like Equisetum , Osmunda ,
and Botrychium are absent from the islands. One very rare species of the latter has not
been seen for nearly a century and is presumed gone. Microclimate differences, vol¬
canic soil age, host substrates for epiphytes, spore dispersal rates {Equisetum and Os¬
munda have short-lived, green spores), and gametophyte growth requirements
( Botrychium has subterranean, mycorrhizal-dependent, sexual plants) are but a few of
the factors that may influence the distribution of Hawaiian pteridophytes. However,
introduced plants and animals may be just as great a threat to the continued existence of
native ferns and the ecosystems that sustain them, despite heroic efforts by The Nature
Conservancy and others.

A Hawaiian hawk perched photogenically on a fence post as we left the
Kaiholena Preserve - a perfect end to the foray. There were stops at Will and Grace’s
Coffee shop for Ka‘u coffee (voted best of the year in world-wide competition) and at
Volcano Winery as we headed back to base. With brains full of all those great fern finds
(and their Latin names!) our great adventure ended in an evening banquet (of take-out
Hawaiian food) on the wrap-around lanai of the inn-owner’s house. A “very pink”
birthday cake for participant Jeong Lee and homemade brownies from Heather Driscoll
added a culminating sweetness. There were heartfelt accolades and tokens of apprecia¬
tion for trip leader Alan Smith and his energetic, knowledgeable assistants, Heather and

32 - Spring 2011 Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Amanda. John Game and Amanda Vernon added interest and identifications for seed
plant sightings. Joan Smith identified the birds and was constant in making sure no one
was left behind on the trails. Everyone contributed enthusiasm, camaraderie, and indi¬
vidual expertise. It doesn’t get any better than this.

REFERENCES, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, AND NOTES

Palmer, Daniel D. 2003. HawaFi’s Ferns and Fern Allies. Honolulu, University of
Hawai‘i Press. (The nomenclature in this report follows that in Palmer’s book.)

“Hiking KauaTs Highlands on Koke‘e Trails.” Map and informational brochure.
Division of State Parks, 3060 Eiwa St. #306, Lihu‘e HI 96766-1875.

A fern list for the Jepson Herbarium “Ferns of HawaPi Workshop,” September,
2010, compiled by Joan Gottlieb, Layne Huiet, and Alan R. Smith September, 2010 is
available by e-mail to: milton.gottlieb@verizon.net

Photos from the “Ferns of Hawai‘i Workshop” are posted, courtesy of Heather Dris¬
coll, with auxiliary submissions from other contributors at: (http://www.flickr.com/
photos/hawaiianfems/).

Photos by Tom Ballinger at http://www.flickr.com/photos/polvlepis

Special appreciation is owed to Dr. Alan R. Smith for his review and correction of
this report.

Dr. Alan Smith leading members of the Hawafi fern foray.
Photo courtesy of Tom Ballinger

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 33

Hardy Fern Foundation at the

Northwest Flower and Garden Show - Pyrrosia

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Nancy Strahle

I’m a member of the Hardy Fern Foundation (www.hardyferns.org). Not an
“academic’'’ member, just a fan of ferns. I don’t know why! My true fan status
began a few years ago when we did a major garden remodel, and I was working
on the design and the choice of plants. Through other associations -Northwest
Horticultural Society (www.northwesthort.org), classes at the Elizabeth Miller
Garden (www.millergarden.org) in Seattle-, research, and events, I got a little

closer to developing a thing
for ferns.

As a member of the Hardy
Fern Foundation, I had the
opportunity to staff the HFF
booth at the Northwest
Flower and Garden Show
last week. This show is
always like a breath of fresh
air in the middle of win¬
ter. (Did you know it’s been freezingly cold, snowing, and now downpouring
around here for the last couple of weeks, with more on the way? So much for
the blue skies we enjoyed at the beginning of the month.)

34- Spring 2011 Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Pyrrosia lingua - ‘Futaba Shishi’

The NWFGS was wonderful as usual, but I was surprised to be treated to a special
display of pyrrosias in the HFF booth! These ferns are a little bit different, somewhat
rare and expensive, and perhaps not everybody’s cup of tea. These pyrrosias were
part of Richie Steffen’s personal collection, and I really enjoyed spending a few hours
with them. If you are unfamiliar with them, here are some pictures, {continued on
page 38)

Pyrossia 'Tachiba Koryu’

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Pyrrosia fKei Kan1

Spring 2011 - 35

Fernery at the Institute of
Bioresource Technology,
Palmpur, India at its opening
ceremony. November 11, 2010.

Photo courtesy of
Joanne M. Sharpe

Adenophorum epigaeus

Photo courtesy of Tom Ballinger

Polystichum

hillebrandii

Photo courtesy of
Tom Ballinger

Sadleria

cyatheoides

Photo courtesy of
Tom Ballinger

36 - Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Polypodium
pelludicum var.
vulcanicum

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Pyrrosia polydactyla

Photo courtesy of Nancy Strahle

Vandenboschia

davalliodes

Photo courtesy of
Tom Ballinger

Woodsia scopulina

Photo courtesy of
Richie Steffen

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 37

Pyrrosia lingua
'Futaba Shishi’

•*»! lion's mane fat fa

Pyrrosia lingua
‘Futaba Shishi’

Pyrrosia polydactyla
’fingered felt fern’

And here is a picture of our roof on the same day, with the confluence of seasons: little
mounds of receding snow on spring’s burgeoning moss. Perhaps ‘spring’ is an over¬
statement.

All photos courtesy of Nancy Strahle

38- Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

THE VICTORIAN FERN CRAZE

Jennifer Ide
London, England

By Sarah Whittingham

Published Shire Library, Shire Publications Ltd.,

Oxford UK, 2009

www. Shirebooks.co.uk, ISBN 978-0-74780-746-9
Price: USA $12.95 UK £5.99 CANADA $14.95
Less on the Internet!

For far longer than I can remember, Shire Publica¬
tions have been publishing their library of excellent
little introductory books on a vast range of topics
such as rural and domestic crafts and implements,
man-made features of the countryside and all kinds
of collectables. Now we welcome Sarah Whitting-
ham’s introduction to the Victorian Fern Craze.

Ferns played a limited role in the life of people until the discovery by the surgeon, John
Lindsay, at the end of the 18 Century, of how to grow ferns from spores. The introduc¬
tory chapter outlines the events, which followed this discovery, stimulating the growth
of enthusiasm for ferns until it was well established by the middle of the 19th Century,
while the development of the various aspects of the fern craze is expanded in the chap¬
ters which follow.

Collecting Ferns inspires one to read at least some of the popular-style books, which
were published during the 19th Century, many encouraging folk to go, ‘seek and find’,
often giving advice on the equipment required and even the clothes to wear. The chapter
explains how the discovery of attractive fern ‘sports’ initiated the onset of fern tourism,
and eventually the establishment of fern societies in Britain and the USA. But the inevi¬
table commercial exploitation of ferns from the countryside leaves its nasty taste in the
mouth and one can only be horrified at the activities of which some collectors boasted.

The rise of the fern nurseryman and how, in Britain, the repeal of the glass tax in 1 845
brought elegant Wardian cases for the drawing room and larger glass housing within the
reach of the less well-off, are described in Cultivating Ferns , together with the develop¬
ment of landscaped ferneries both under glass and in the larger garden.

The development of imaginatively displayed fern collections in botanic gardens and
public ferneries, and of multiplex winter gardens with aquaria or aviaries, orchestras,
games areas and places to eat, read and smoke, is the subject of Ferns for All. Even lu¬
natic asylums saw the virtue of fern displays for inmates.

Finally, no book on the fern craze can be without a chapter on the fern in The Decora¬
tive Arts and after reading this one I doubt if readers will be able to pass an antique or

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly Spring 2011 - 39

THE VICTORIAN
FERN CRAZE

Sarah Whittingham

SHIRf & LIBRARY

junk shop without at least a quick glance inside.

Like all the books in the series, this one is profusely illustrated with as much as half the
page space filled with illustrations, which do more than just enhance the enjoyment of
the text. It is unfortunate there is no bibliography, a ‘requirement’ of the publisher, but
forty three places to visit - botanic gardens, public gardens and ferneries, and museums
- are listed, admittedly the majority in the UK and Ireland.

If you haven’t guessed, I can highly recommend this little book. Small and introductory
it may be, but it is packed with information and with her lively text Sarah Whittingham
whets the appetite for more. That is to come, I understand, this year and we can only
salivate until it arrives. But do not wait until then. This attractive little book, certainly
not over-priced, is the perfect hors d’ouvre while you wait.

Fern Festival 20 1 1

Amazing ferns & shade
garden plant sale

Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle

Friday, June 3rd

Plant sale from 1:00 - 6:30 pm
Annual Meeting - 6:30 pm

Lecture, 7 :00 pm by Marietta O’Byrne -

shade gardening and hellebore expert

rday, June 4th

from 10:00 am - 2:

40 - Spring 2011

\

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FERNS AND FERN ALLIES:
DIVERSITY, BIOPROSPECTION AND CONSERVATION

THE INDIAN FERN SOCIETY

INSTITUTE OF HIMALAYAN BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
PALAMPUR, HIMAL PRADESH, INDIA
1 0- 1 2 NOVEMBER 20 1 0

Joanne M. Sharpe
Edgecomb, ME

Fig. 1 - Lighting the conference candle
Goswami, S. S. Bir and J. M. Sharpe.
Photo courtesy of Joanne M. Sharpe

left to right, P. S. Ahuja, H. K.

During the summer of
2010 I had the great good for¬
tune to be invited to speak at an
international symposium on
ferns in India. I was contacted by
a fern colleague in India, Profes¬
sor S. P. Khullar who is Editor of
the Indian Fern Journal and an
organizer of the conference. I
had never been to India before,
and when I mentioned it to my
husband, he was all for it. There
were many e-mails back and
forth as we made what arrange¬
ments we could for visiting this country of 1.1 billion people and 1,000 species of ferns.
The last of my tasks was to check to be sure that our credit cards would not set off secu¬
rity alerts; I found myself speaking to a man in Delhi who became very excited when he
learned that we would be there for Divali, and assured us that it was the most amazing
festival of the year in India. So when we arrived in Delhi for a few days to overcome jet
lag, we found ourselves among friendly revelers for five nights, with some of the most
spectacular fireworks displays I have ever seen exploding above the city for hours at the
height of the holiday.

That was our introduction to India and the symposium itself proved to be just
as exciting and thought-provoking. The conference was held to the north of Delhi in the
Himalayan Indian state of Himal Pradesh. We flew up with spectacular views of the
snowcapped peaks and were met at the airport in Dharmshala by a representative of the
Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) which is one of the research
centers of India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It was an hour drive
through many other small towns to the institute's campus in Palampur ringed by moun¬
tains that were not yet snowcapped. We were installed in a guesthouse suite with all the
comforts of home including internet access and twice a day we were served tea that had
been grown at the Institute. Excellent meals were served three times a day in a large
open tent outside the guesthouse.

The conference began with an opening ceremony that was attended by over a
hundred and fifty symposium participants and institute staff in a lovely auditorium that
was later the venue for a fascinating cultural program of song, dance and comedy put on

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 41

by the staff. The formality of the opening ceremony, with the lighting of a conference
candle (Figure 1) was very inspiring. We were welcomed by Dr. P. S. Ahuja, the direc¬
tor of the Institute who described some of the work that was being done in their state-of-
the-art laboratories, fields and greenhouses. With a staff of 166 (including 48 scientists),
their mission is to provide research and development services on economic bioresources
in the Himalayas focussing on crops such as tea, medicinal plants and ornamentals.
They had recently begun to focus on the economic potential for ferns in the area and
during the meeting, we were privileged to participate in the formal opening of their
lovely new "fernery" where specimens could be grown and observed . (See photo pg.
36)

Introductory remarks by Professor Emeritus S. S. Bir, a renowned pteridologist
in India focussed on the importance of Himalayan ferns, announcing that his entire re¬
search library would be donated to the Institute to strengthen their holdings on pterido-
phytes. Dr. H. K. Goswami welcomed visitors as president the Indian Fern Society and
emphasized that any aspect of biology can be addressed using ferns as a focal organism.
I was invited to speak on the international importance of collaboration at all levels of
the research, conservation and economic studies of ferns as a means of insuring their
continuing existence.

The technical sessions were very interesting, with talks from all parts of India
and all possible topics relating to ferns with approximately 80 participants from India,
Nepal, Germany and Mexico. Topics ranged from studies of the Mesozoic fern fossils,
evolution of soral arrangement, anatomy of leaf epidermal cells and petioles, taxonomy
of fern groups including Tectariaceae and Mars ilea to the temporal patterns in Equise-
tum growth. While I learned something new from each of the talks and posters, I'll focus
on a few of those that specifically addressed the themes of the meeting.

Diversity: It was clear from floristic studies in many parts of India that there is
incredible diversity of ferns and that is driven by the huge variety of habitats. For exam¬
ple, within the small northern state of Sikkim (-2000 square miles), elevations range
from 300 m to 850 m, with both alpine and subtropical habitats for ferns, resulting in
500 species of ferns representing half the fern flora of India. But threats are present to
this fantastic fern flora as well to the flora another northern state, Arunachal Pradesh
with 170 species just in the Dryopteridaceae family and floras of several other parts of
India. Agriculture (e.g. cardamom production), native harvesting for horticulture (e.g.
tree fern trunks and ornamentals), and population pressure are driving the rapid declines
in fern abundance throughout the country.

Bioprospection: Testing ferns for economic uses is vital not only for the im¬
provement of the human quality of life, but also for the wealth of information about the
ecology, growth and biochemistry that result from rigorous implementation of commer¬
cial programs. Speakers at this symposium addressed diseases in cattle resulting from
bracken fern, myriad uses for the mosquito fern, Azolla , as an easily grown and har¬
vested natural fertilizer, potential for several ferns to remove heavy metals from pol¬
luted soils and seasonal availability of antimicrobial compounds in ferns. One very in¬
teresting study at an Indian Cancer Institute has found that leaf extracts of the common
water clover ( Marsilea ) may play a vital role in controlling the deleterious effects of the
pesticide Endosulfan on humans.

42 - Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Conservation: Several speakers identified the need for fern conservation in the
face of various threats, especially to habitat. In the state of Sikkim, the Forest Service
controls 80% of the land in a variety of types of conservation areas. But even more im¬
portant than preserving habitat is the need to educate people about important existing
uses of ferns and to identify more ways to increase their economic impact through me¬
dicinal uses, pollution control and horticulture. Toward this end, there was a call for
emphasis on fern cultivation, growth and harvest.

The Institute is located in the Kanga district of Himal Pradesh, and ferns sur¬
veys of both the district and the Institute lands had been undertaken, with the conference
organizers Dr. Brij Lai, Dr. Alka Kumari and Dr. S. P. Khullar (Figure 3) among others
very much involved in the effort. There are 130 fern species in the district, 45 of which
are rare and 40 species of which are already growing on Institute lands. The goal of the
Institute's beautiful new fernery is to provide representative plants from each species
and then to assess their growth within a common habitat. It is also a place for visitors to
appreciate the beauty of ferns, and to learn their names and important features. By com¬
mitting to the construction and maintenance of such a facility. Dr. P. S. Ahuja of the
Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology has demonstrated his commitment to
finding future economic benefits in ferns. It was a real honor to be there to share in the
enthusiasm of so many fine and enthusiastic pteridologists and see this tangible evi¬
dence of collaboration.

Fig. 3 - Organizers of Indian fern symposium - left to right, Alka Ku¬
mari, S. P. Khullar and Brij Lai. Photo courtesy of Joanne M. Sharpe

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 43

THE INDIAN FERN SOCIETY

Dr. S. P. Khullar
Chandigarh, India

The Indian Fern Society is an International Organization of Researchers/Persons inter¬
ested in research on any aspect of ferns and fern-allies. It was established in 1983 to
promote research work on Pteridophytes world-wide. When formed it had three honor¬
ary members; 29 life members and 14 ordinary members. These figures now are 102
and 231, respectively. However an alarming trend is the lack of very few active and
young research workers on Pteridophytes. The constitution of the Society provides for
an Executive council which consists of: a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary-
Treasurer, Joint Secretary, seven members and The Editor of The Indian Fern Journal.
The Editorial Board besides the Editor has six members. There are also four Advisors.

The Society Honours itself by having Senior Pteridologists as Honorary Members. For
25 years (till 2008), the Society had its head office at Patiala (Punjab, India). The first
Secretary-Treasurer and Editor of the Indian Fern Society was Prof. S. S. Bir, Depart¬
ment of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala. Due to advancing age, Prof. S. S. Bir ex¬
pressed his inability to continue. It was then decided in the General Body meeting held
at NBRI, Lucknow, during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations (29 November 2008), to shift
the head office of the Society from Patiala to Chandigarh (1633 Sector 7-C, Chandigarh
160019 India) with Prof S P Khullar as its Secretary,. The Indian Fern Society pub-
lishes (annually) ‘The Indian Fern Journal’, now in its 27 Volume.

The following are the aims of the Society:

(i) To promote researches on Pteridophytes, through suitable research programs,
explorations and dissemination of the latest knowledge on these plants.

(ii) To arouse public interest in the conservation of ferns and fern allies, which are
under grave threat of extinction due to the destruction of their habitats?

The Society sought to achieve these objectives by:

(i) Seeking cooperation and by cooperating with persons and organizations within or
outside the country interested in plant Sciences.

(ii) Organizing lectures, symposia, seminars, excursions, exhibitions etc. on Pterido¬
phytes.

(iii) It also encourages publication of monographs, books etc. of interest for the devel¬
opment of knowledge on Pteridophytes.

(iv) Encourage original research on ferns and fern-allies.

(v) Instituting at appropriate time, merit certificates, medals, and prizes for persons
interested in ferns and fern allies.

ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY:

1 . The Society has been publishing annually “THE INDIAN FERN JOURNAL” since
1 984 and has successfully published 27 volumes. Articles from Researchers on Pterido¬
phytes are welcome for publication but the author/s have to be members of the In¬
dian Fern Society.

The Society also organizes seminars /symposia on Pteridophytes. It has so far organized

44 - Spring 2011 Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

nine Intemational/National Seminars/symposia:

(i) National Symposium on “ Biology of Pteridophytes ”, January 10-11, 1986, at De¬
partment of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala.

(ii) National Conference on Pteridology”, November 25-26 1988, at National Bo¬
tanical Research Institute, Lucknow.

(iii) International Symposium “ Present & Future Perspectives in Pteridology ”, August
4-6, 1989, at University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

(iv) “ Current Trends in Pteridology ”, October 4-6, 1991, at St. Xavier’s College,
Palayamkottai (Tamil Nadu).

(v) “ Researches on Pteridology ”, October 5-7, 1995, at Department of Botany,
J.N.Vyas University, Jodhpur.

(vi) “ Fifty Years of Pteridology in India: In Retrospect & Prospect ”, November 12-
14, 1999, Jiwaji University, Gwalior.

(vii) “ Pteridophytes - the vanishing Plants”, November 25-26, 2002, Department of
Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

(viii) Silver Jubilee International Symposium on “ Perspectives in Pteridophytes ”, No¬
vember 27-29, 2008, at NBRI, Lucknow.

(ix) International Symposium on Ferns and Fern Allies: “Diversity, Bioprospection
and Conservation”. Nov. 10-12, 2010, at IHBT, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh).

AWARDS OF THE SOCIETY:

1. FELLOW OF THE INDIAN FERN SOCIETY:

Life Members are eligible for election as Fellows of the Society. The Fellowship is con¬
ferred by the Executive Council based on the recommendations and their eminence as
Pteridologists. All proposals are to be accompanied by complete biodata, list of publica¬
tions and with a note on the outstanding contributions of the nominee. Each nomination
is to be duly proposed, seconded and supported by two life members. Nominations
complete in all respects should be sent to Prof. S. P. Khullar, Secretary-Treasurer, In¬
dian Fern Society, 1633 Sector 7-C, CHANDIGARH- 1600 19 (India)..

2. PROFESSOR S.S.BIR, GOLD MEDAL IN PTERIDOLOGY.

This medal is awarded every year to a person not above the age of 50 years (as on 1 st
January of the year of nomination), for excellent achievements in the field of Pteridol¬
ogy Nominations will be made by the Life/Honorary members/Fellows of the Indian
Fern Society.

3. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.

This award is meant for researchers not above the age of 35 years, as on 1st. January of
the year in which the proposal is made. Candidates who wish to be considered can send
their biodata and List of Publications through at least two Life Members.

All awardees (under items 1-3) will deposit a complete set of his/her publications with
the Office of the Society.

Membership: Membership of the Society is open to any person interested in Pterido¬
phytes.

For persons from the Indian subcontinent (including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Ne¬
pal, Bangladesh, Bhutan): Life Membership: Rs. 5000/-. Annual Membership: Rs.
450/-(including Rs 50/- as one time enrolment fee)

For Foreign members:

Life Membership: US $500/, Annual Membership US $ 75 (plus US $ 5 as one-time
Enrollment fee)

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 45

For Institutions: Indian Institutions: Rs. 1000/- (per Annual Volume of Indian Fern
Journal) Foreign Institutions: US $ 750/-((per Annual Volume of Indian Fern Journal).
All payments are to be made by a bank draft (DD payable at CHANDIGARH, India)
made in the name of The Secretary- Treasurer, Indian Fern Society and mailed to Prof.
S. P. Khullar, Secretary-Treasurer, Indian Fern Society, 1633 Sector 7-C,
CH ANDIGARH- 1 600 1 9 (India). Subscriptions from Foreign Institutions/Persons may
preferably be sent through Electronic Transfer: The annual/life membership/ subscrip¬
tion can be remitted directly to the Bank Account of Indian Fern Society: [STATE
BANK OF PATIALA, MADHYA MARG, SECTOR 7, CHANDIGARH- 160019, IN¬
DIA, SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT NO. 65055644880 ]. The IFSC Code of the said
Bank is stbp0000202, and MICR Code is 160007002. For any other requirement you
may enquire from your local Bank for direct remittance. Intimation of direct remittance
to the Bank Account of Indian Fern Society must be sent to Prof. S.P. KHULLAR, Sec¬
retary-Treasurer, The Indian Fern Society, at email: sp.khullar@gmail.com. For any
queries concerning Membership and any other information contact Prof. S. P. Khullar,
Secretary-Treasurer, Indian Fern Society, 1633 Sector 7-C, CHANDIGARH- 1600 19
(INDIA).

THE INDIAN FERN SOCIETY

ENROLLMENT PROFORMA FOR FRESH MEMBERSHIP (FOREIGN)

I desire to enroll myself as an ordinary/ life member* of the Indian Fern
Society. I shall abide by the

constitution of the Society, and the decisions taken from time to time.

Name (in BLOCK LETTERS) _

Place and Date of Birth _

Qualifications _

Field /s of Specialisation _

Professional details

Address for Correspondence _

PIN _ Telephone (Office) _ (Res.) _

Email address. _

The Annual Subscription* (for members from abroad) of US $ 75 plus US $ 5 as
one-time Enrollment Fee , Or Life Membership Subscription* of US $ 500 is en¬
closed as DD+ No _ Dated _ .,

payable at Chandigarh (India).In favour of ‘The Treasurer-Secretary, Indian Fern

46 - Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

society, Chandigarh, India9. *Please strike out whatever is not applicable.

FOR ELECTRONIC TRANSFER:

+The annual/life membership subscription can be remitted directly to the Bank
Account of Indian Fern Society: [STATE BANK OF PATIALA, MADHYA
MARG, SECTOR 7, CHANDIGARH- 160019, INDIA, SAVINGS BANK AC¬
COUNT NO. 65055644880 ]. The IFSC Code of the said Bank is stbp0000202, and
MICR Code is 160007002. You may enquire for any other requirement from your
local bank for direct remittance. Intimation of direct remittance to the Bank Ac¬
count of Indian Fern Society must be sent to Prof. S.P. KHULLAR, Secretary,
The Indian Fern Society, by email: sp.khullar@gmail.com.

Place: _ _ _

Date: _ Signature: _

THE INDIAN FERN JOURNAL

House No. 1633, Sector 7-C, CHANDIGARH- 1600 19, INDIA

SUBSCRIPTION / RENEWAL ORDER FORM
(INSTITUTIONS)

The Institution/Department named _

At Address:

wishes to subscribe / renew* the subscription for the Indian Fern Journal+ for the

Calendar year _ .(2009, 2010). The Annual Payment of Rs. 1000/-* (Rupees

Eight Hundred only, For Indian Institutions)/ or US $ 75.00* \ (US $ Seventy five only.
For Foreign Institutions) is enclosed as a Bank Demand Draft (DD)

No _ dated _

payable at _ .(Bank), Chandigarh, India, Made In favour of /

Payable to the *' Treasurer / Secretary, Indian Fern Society, Chandigarh.
India9.

Note: +The annual subscription can be remitted directly to the Bank Account of
Indian Fern Society: [STATE BANK OF PATIALA, MADHYA MARG, SECTOR
7, CHANDIGARH- 60019, INDIA, SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT NO.
65055644880 J. The IFSC Code of the said Bank is stbp0000202, and MICR Code
is 160007002. You may enquire for any other requirement from your local bank
for direct remittance. Intimation of direct remittance to the Bank Account of In¬
dian Fern Society must be sent to:

Prof. S.P. KHULLAR, Secretary,

The Indian Fern Society, by email: sp.khullar@gmail.com or

House No. 1633, Sector 7-C, CHANDIGARH- 1600 19, INDIA

Date: _

Authorized Signator:

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

Spring 2011 - 47

Many folks who know or grow Dryopteris cristata have won¬
dered (often aloud) why Linnaeus endowed a non-crested fern
with such a botanical name. Here we have an interesting and
plausible explanation as presented in an e-mail from Jan van
Twisk to Tom Stuart at his Hardy Fern Library site.

Dryopteris cristata named by Linnaeus -
What Was He Thinking??

Jan van Twisk
The Netherlands

“Dear Sir,

At your site page concerning the Dryopteris cristata it
is noted: "cristata" does not apply and nobody knows
why Linnaeus chose the name. There is a meaning to
the cristata as it is derived from the Latin "Crista" that
stands for "Coomb". In Dutch the fern is called "kamvaren"
and "kam" and "coomb" are exactly the same word.

So "cristata" means "like a coomb" and that applies
to the shape of the fertile leafs standing like a ladder and/or coomb.
It is as simple as that.

Regards,

Jan van Twisk”

Thanks go to Mr. van Twisk for sharing.

(And as always other suggestions and/or opinions are most welcome.)

Volunteering for the Hardy Fern Foundation

Carolyn Doherty - Puyallup, WA

Volunteering for the HFF has been a great experience for my husband Jerry and myself.
Now, into our third year, we are continuing to enjoy it very much. We’ve learned a
great deal about ferns and met lots of wonderful people.

One outcome of our experience is that we have become fem propagators. We’ve col¬
lected spore of uncommon types and grown them at home. We’ve had some failures
and, through some trial and error, succeeded in contributing several new types to HFF
for their sales and membership distributions. We’ve also potted up hundreds, even thou¬
sands, of ferns, helped maintain the ferns in the hoop house, and worked out in the won¬
derful stumpery and garden planting and grooming those ferns.

One of the best parts of volunteering has been the opportunity to participate in the
group’s activities - hikes, dinners, plant sales, etc., and the opportunity to leam so much
from Michelle Bundy and Jo Laskowski.

48- Spring 2011

Hardy Fern Foundation Quarterly

THE HARDY FERN FOUNDATION

QUARTERLY

* ^ sSsOl

The Hardy Fern
Foundation Quarterly
is published quarterly
by the

Hardy Fern Foundation
P.O. Box 3797
Federal Way, WA
98063-3797

Articles, photos, fern and
gardening questions,
letters to the editor, and
other contributions are
welcomed!

Please send your
submissions to:

Sue Olsen
2003 128th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98005
foliageg@juno.com

Editor:

Sue Olsen

Graphics:
Willanna Bradner
(cover design)
Michelle Bundy
(inside design)

Webmistress:
Michelle Bundy

THE HARDY FERN FOUNDATION

Board of Directors

President: Pat Kennar
Vice President: John van den Meerendonk
Immediate Past President: Richie Steffen
Recording Secretary: Susan Black
Corresponding Secretary: Pat Riehl
Treasurer: Lyman Black

Board Members:

Michelle Bundy
Kathryn Crosby
Rick Peterson
Meredith Smith

Katie Burki
Randall Hitchin
Sue Olsen
Nils Sundquist

Diane Thompson

Honorary Board Members:

Sylvia Duryee
Jocelyn Horder

Members at Large:

Greg Becker Naud Burnett

Joan Gottlieb John Scott

Mary Ellen Tonsing