A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2007 Mystery Fern

I have just finished thinning and repotting my grandmothers ferns. My grandmother turned 100 years old last week and she grew this fern and said that it was passed down from "her" grandmother and was uncertain as to how far it went beyond that. Its been at least 5 years since I took them out and cut them out so I ended up with about 12 new plants from just two pots. They do not have the spores on the back of the leaves, but rather there are what I would call runners that grow that I cut off from time to time. I really do not know alot about ferns but because of its long history am curious as to where it might have originated from. Any one that would have information as to who and how to contact someone about this , I would really appreciate it. I do know that I have never seen them for sale anywhere.

Hello Shamarian,

Do you have a photo of the fern you need identified?

Sorry, I accidentally posted before I was finished typing. It is so wonderful that you have a plant with that long of a history...a true living legacy! I hope you are able to find out more about this fern and that you keep us posted. Congratulations to your grandmother on her 100th birthday and many more!

Cricket, I will have a picture of it soon, I'm sure that will help

Oh yes, Shamarian, love to see a picture!!!

(The only fern I could think of real quick,
but probably not it, was the
Rabbit\'s Foot Fern

Weezie

Nope, not the one Weezie but thank you for trying. Each strand of this fern is very long, 3 to 4 feet, none of them are short. I need to take time to get a picture on, the kids will need to help me. But I have enjoyed giving them to people and telling them its story, for all I know it could be from my grandmothers, grandmothers, grandmother. She also passed down her beautiful flocks to me. Both will go everywhere I go in this life, and then will be hopefully at old age my turn to pass them on with its story. Kinda makes the love of plants all the richer doesnt it?