The forest

Christmas Fern - Jenny Wiley State Park

The Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, with fronds 1-2 feet high is probably the most common fern in Kentucky. The developing fronds are called fiddleheads. The newly developed fronds resemble the neck of a fiddle. It has been said that fiddleheads are edible and can be prepared like asparagus. The Christmas Fern is also a food crop for the ruffed grouse.  This plant also belies the idea that winter scenes are gray.  The plant is deep green and it is around throughout the winter.

A native Kentucky Tree

Persimmon Tree - Jenny Wiley State Park, Kentucky

The persimmon  (Diospyros virginiana)  is native to the Kentucky mountains and hills. Persimmon is often growing on drier upland sites that receive adequate moisture.  It grows naturally in open areas on rocky hillsides. Heights are typically 20 to 30 feet tall. It is best known for its fruit.  In Indiana at Spring Mill State park the lodge serves a delicious persimmon offering.  It is provided similar to a fruit pie.  Wildlife find and eat the fruit.  Persimmon trees are either male or female; the trees cannot self-pollinate. Only the female Persimmon tree bears fruit. The leaves are simple, alternate, 2 to 6 inches long, and 1 to 3 inches wide. They are ovate to elliptical and are shiny green. The bark is brown to dark grey and is very deeply furrowed giving it a distinct blocky appearance. The dark heartwood is very hard and takes a century to develop. Besides Dogwood and Ironwood Trees, the Persimmon ranks third in wood hardness and is used largely in the production of golf club heads.  The fruit matures in September to October and is orange in color.  The fruit becomes soft when ripe. Each  fruit is about round; about 1 to 2 inches across.  Animals of varying species love the fruit.  The wild animals may beat you to the fruit before you get a chance to find it. The fruit has a very sweet taste that some say mimic the taste of dates. It can be eaten raw or made into pies, or cookies. 

Natural Beauty in Kentucky

Ground Cedar - Jenny Wiley State Park, Kentucky

Here is another reason to go to Jenny Wiley State Park in Appalachia.  There are things that you don't see in other regions.  Take this ground cedar (Lycopodium digitatum) for example.  It is found in the eastern mountains.   Ground Cedar is very attractive and it grows in large patches of the forest floor.  It needs an acidic soil.  It is a club moss and it commonly grows to one to two and one half inches tall.  Deforestation has reduced its presence to limited areas of the east.  This plant is also known by names like “Wandering Cedar” and Crowsfoot.”  This plant also belies the talk that one hears about the end of color once the trees lose their leaves.  The end of fall does not bring the end of color.  This plant could not be any deeper in its own shade of forest green.