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Christmas Fern - Polys£ichum acrostfchoides (Polystichum acrostichoides) - The unfurling of new spring growth on a Christmas Fern is also commonly known as a 'fiddlehead' because of its similarity in shape to the head of a fiddle. These I found growing near the Eno River while hiking though the wilderness of Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area at Hillsborough. In this photo is a mass of these unfurling with plenty of background to show their typical setting as well as these ferns in all stages of growth.

Photo made April 20, 2008