Bracken.

Some fern facts...

Ferns are descended from some of the oldest plants in the earth's history, having been found as fossils dating back nearly 400 million years ago.

The seed or spores, resemble dust-like cells so small that 25 lined up just equal a millimetre in length.

The leaves, or fronds, of ferns span an amazing range of shapes and sizes. In the bud stage they are tightly coiled into a crozier or fiddlehead that is usually protected by a covering of scales or hairs.

The Victorians were fanatical about these quirky plants. They built special greenhouses, called ferneries, to collect them in, and the term Pteridomania was invented to describe this hobby.

In Slavic folklore, ferns are believed to bloom once a year, on midsummers night. Although difficult to find, anyone who sees a fern-flower will be happy and rich for the rest of their life.

Mmm I think I've had too much time on my hands today!

Have a great weekend :-)