Licorice Ferns
The North East Quadrant of Pioneer Park has many trees with beautiful Licorice Ferns cascading down the trunks. By growing on the tree, it ensures the ferns will remain close to a source of shade. This fern is an epiphyte which, unlike a parasite, does not cause harm to the tree. The ferns are green, hence, they are making their own food. As for water, they are soaking it up from the moss. A final advantage of growing on the side of the tree is that it raises this relatively short plant above the competition found on the forest floor.
The Licorice Fern was an important medicinal plant for a number of Indigenous Peoples, who used it raw, boiled, or baked. The rhizomes were chewed for their licorice flavor and used as a remedy against colds, coughs, and sore throats- the cough drops of the time.
As many deciduous plants are dropping their leaves and going dormant during the fall season, the Licorice Fern is doing just the opposite. The fern thrives in the cool, moist weather of the rainy season and loses its frond in hot, dry weather of summer. It's a reminder of one of Mother Naure's most consistent messages: There is more than one way to succeed. It's true for plants and people too.
-Stay on the trail. Log only, bring your own pen.
-See the photos section for pictures of the licorice ferns, GZ clues, and Pioneer Park maps, park rules, etc.
-Keep our parks beautiful- CITO, there are garbage bins near the trail heads of the park 💚.
Congrats to Engicators- FTF on Feb. 13, 2024