By late Summer the plants can be as tall as 8' (2.5m) Though not impenetrable they can present a Formidable barrier, particularly when wet. Dogs and deer, Foxes, badgers and smaller mammals have little difficulty but humans are sometimes deterred by them (well, this human is . . . )
Ferns have neither Flowers nor Fruits and reproduce by means of spores on the undersides of the leaves. Bracken spores are linear rather than the more common circular Form of other Ferns.
Bracken is toxic to cattle, horses, pigs and small rodents, though usually they will eat it only when there is nothing else available. It also allows little else to grow because of the chemicals it produces, though bluebells, wood anemones and mosses are unaffected.
The Fiddle, or violin, has several Fs. The scroll is often called the Fiddlehead, there is a Fingerboard made from ebony, two F holes and often Four Fine-tuners. Bracken is toxic to cattle, horses, pigs and small rodents, though usually they will eat it only when there is nothing else available. It also allows little else to grow because of the chemicals it produces, though bluebells, wood anemones and mosses are unaffected.
Finally, in February, I expect to Find Frogs in the garden pond. Thus Far, there are none! I suspect they are sensibly still hibernating in the deep mud. The Fish are becoming more active though many of the Sticklebacks didn't survive the cold spell. Perhaps this year the Frogspawn will be more successful!
Thanks go to the ABC Wednesday team for their hard work in hosting this meme. Click here to see more Fs!
They're also rather delicious to eat.
ReplyDeleteGreat F`s and the violin is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure that isn't a frog under those bubbles? Thanks for the info on bracken ferns - ironically, our nursery's name was Bracken Gardens.
ReplyDeleteThe fiddle photos are great too!
What an interesting and lovely group of F words for the day, Janice! Always enjoy your photos and the information you include! Hope you're having a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
A very extensive and pleasant post. A fine F
ReplyDeleteExcellent and informative post. And I've always wanted to play violin, but seem destined to stick to my guitar.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of fiddleheads before!As for eating them.....! I learn something every day when blogging.
ReplyDeleteFabulous fotos! :D
ReplyDeleteOh! even your word verification is an F-word! lol
Some of my favourite F-words! I almost used "fiddle", but decided on something from zoology!
ReplyDeletePurrs,
Sara Cat
http://sarakatt.blogspot.com/2010/02/abc-wednesday-f-as-in-feline-abc-onsdag.html#links
Very interesting Janice. I didn't know that ferns were edible. I've been looking for frogs too but none so far, and who can blame them in this weather.
ReplyDeleteYup I agree, my mother used to cooked ferns and it's so yummy.4
ReplyDeleteF is Family
Fine Fretless Fun - Fanks.
ReplyDeleteI love your fact-filled post! Great photos as well!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite ferns. The pond picture offers wonderful detail. What fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, - I learned all sorts of things, and really enjoyed your pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful effort.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
Fantastic F!
Happy ABC Wednesday!
hugs
shakira
http://justmeshakirack.blogspot.com/2010/02/f-is-for-fantastic-friends-from.html
Dear Janice,
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting!
Purrs,
Sara Cat
Greetings from
Cajsa Cat and
our stripey red
Calle Cat
Yesterday I thought there were no words starting with F ! now I see even fern and fiddle !
ReplyDeleteBracken I know all too well but I had no idea it could be cooked! Now that makes me look on it in a new light.
ReplyDeleteI love ferns and the frogs reminded me of our pond last Spring.
ReplyDeletefiddling around with the violin/fiddle, I see. Beautiful instrument.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you!
I haven't had frogs in my pond for several years now. We gave up and removed the wildlife pond last year, because it was supporting nothing but sludge and freshwater shrimp!
ReplyDeleteLove the fiddleheads - both types!