Lichens
“A lichen, or lichenized
fungus, is actually two organisms functioning as a single, stable unit. Lichens
comprise a fungus living in a symbiotic relationship with an alga or
cyanobacterium (or both in some instances). There are about 17,000 species of
lichen worldwide.” (https://www.livescience.com/55008-lichens.html)
There are several types
of lichens: leafy, cup-like, beard-like,
and crusty (usually on rocks). In general,
you want to leave the lichens. Lichens
absorb pollutants so scientists can learn about air pollution by analyzing
lichens.
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
The
Christmas Fern stays green all winter, unlike other ferns. Winter
snows will flatten the fronds though.
Fiddleheads or the coiled fronds appear in early spring while the rest
of the previous year’s growth browns and decays.
The blade of
the fern is lance-shaped with pinnae (look like leaves) all along. On fertile pinnae, sori (brown areas on
underside) are on the upper part of the blade.
These release microscopic spores into the air which is how a fern
reproduces.
Christmas
Ferns grow in the woods and are widespread because they tolerate both dry and
wet soils. The range of the Christmas
Fern is the eastern United States, from the south all the way to Canada and
west to Missouri. Because it is bright
green in December, the Christmas Fern historically has been used in holiday
decorations.
The children glued leaves to color paper. Then, they all did colored pencil drawings which I don't have any photos of unfortunately. All of the children seem to have good drawing skills for their ages.
After I arrived home, I put the Christmas Fern and Virginia Pine in a vase. The ferns only lasted a couple of days while the pine is going strong.
We plan to continue the programs next year in January since there does seem to be interest for them.
