BiodiverseCity St. Louis

Christmas Fern
(Polystichum acrostichiodes)

© Matilda Adams/Missouri Botanical Garden
 

While some may argue early November is too early for talk of Christmas and the Holiday season, the Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichiodes) says it’s never too early! The Christmas fern gets its name from its evergreen fronds that stay green and fresh-looking throughout the wintertime, even at Christmas. Most other ferns die back or turn brown in the fall and early winter, but the Christmas fern’s evergreen fronds persist through snow and cold temperatures.

In early November, the fronds are green, and the leaflets start to brown at the tips as the plant starts to settle into its winter posture. In December and early January, the fronds remain green and visible lying on the ground and can be a delightful splash of green in an otherwise brown or snowy woodland. This fern grows best in organically rich, dry-to-medium moisture soils in partial shade to full shade.

The plant has a long history of decorative use. Before imported evergreens and commercial wreaths became common, people in eastern North America, especially the Appalachian and Ozark regions, used native evergreens to decorate their homes for Christmas. Because Christmas fern stays green all winter, it was one of the few easily accessible greens available. People used it to line mantels and windowsills, in Christmas wreaths and garlands mixed with other greenery, and to decorate churches and community halls.

The Christmas fern is symbolic in folklore as a symbol of enduring hardship, as greenery persisted through the colder months. In some regions, it was considered good luck to have a patch growing near your home or along a path as a reminder of vitality in the bleaker months. While it is not as common in holiday decoration today, it still plays a role in native plant and outdoor enthusiasts’ winter traditions.

To learn more about the Christmas fern, visit Grow Native’s webpage and Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plant Finder webpage.

—Hannah Gibson
Community Conservation Coordinator, Missouri Botanical Garden

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How is Climate Change Impacting Fall Foliage?
by Simmone Shah, TIME

If you’re anything like me, watching the leaves change from green to hues of red, yellow, and orange is your favorite part of the Fall season. Getting to check on my favorite neighborhood trees each day and watching the progression of colors paint the tree line along the highway becomes part of my morning routine. But this year, some of my favorite trees started dropping brown leaves before I saw any color change, and other trees still wear green leaves, even in early November.

A TIME article titled “How Is Climate Change Impacting Fall Foliage?” helped answer some of my questions. Written by Simmone Shah, this article talks through some of the same phenomenon I noticed myself, that the leaves aren’t following the same pattern year-to-year.

The article reminds us why leaves change colors: as daylight shortens and temperatures drop, the green chlorophyll in leaves break down and reveal other pigments.

© Nathan Kwarta/Missouri Botanical Garden
 

It explores how Autumn's classic display of colorful leaves is being altered by a changing climate. The shift in temperatures is modifying the conditions that trigger the leaves to change colors. For example, warmer nights and hotter temperatures into the fall months can delay the shutdown of chlorophyll production, which can delay or even mute the color change. Also, drought or unexpected rainfall can stress trees and cause the leaves to drop and brown before their full color develops.

Shah brings attention to the economic implications of the leaves changing as well, since tourists often flock to regions with beautiful fall colors intentionally. Experts predict that New England’s famous fall foliage, which brings an estimated $8 billion to local economies, will be brief and earlier this year, which can change travel plans.

Whether you’re watching a tree in your yard or taking a fall road trip to see leaves change colors, take note of how this year may be different than previous years.

—Hannah Gibson
Community Conservation Coordinator, Missouri Botanical Garden