tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23818283.post-92223716983117757182008-03-31T22:05:00.005+01:002008-03-31T22:52:39.559+01:00<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_CiuaRAVNwYs/R_FX_c-RvGI/AAAAAAAAAbY/WR5dYQ5rFKs/s1600-h/20080331+Dryopteris+dilatata,+Mayfield.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184021393700928610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_CiuaRAVNwYs/R_FX_c-RvGI/AAAAAAAAAbY/WR5dYQ5rFKs/s400/20080331+Dryopteris+dilatata,+Mayfield.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>One of the freshest and subtlest signs of the rising sap are the new fronds of <strong>broad buckler fern</strong> (<em>Dryopteris dilatata</em>) seen here above evergreen ivy and last year's dead leaves. The delicate tracery does not stay long and turns into a rather dowdy fern later in the year. The countryside is so full of the grosser manifestations of early spring - wood anemones, primroses, daffodils - that it is easy to overlook these less strident displays. I think the fronds look good enough to eat and, apparently, the plant has been used as an analgesic, against dandruff and for gastrointestinal disturbances. <em>Dryopteris</em> roots have also, I gather, been used to make an alcoholic beverage called "uh" (great name) in Alaska, a practice the indigenous American Indians are said to have learnt from the Russians. As the roots are considered toxic, they might have had rather more of a buzz than they bargained for - 'uh' indeed.</div>Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com