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Fiddleheads

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
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35.5967, -87.2931

Field Notes

Description:

Fiddleheads are the furled fronds of a young fern, harvested for use as a vegetable. Left on the plant, each fiddlehead would unroll into a new frond (circinate vernation). As fiddleheads are harvested early in the season before the frond has opened and reached its full height, they are cut fairly close to the ground.
Fiddleheads have antioxidant activity, are a source of Omega 3 and Omega 6, and are high in iron and fiber.

Habitat:

Stillhouse Falls Hollow, Tennessee.

Reference Links:

Fiddlehead fern

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
KarenL
Thanks for the link Craig! It was an interesting hike so I'm sure we will be back there soon. I will try & add some photos of the mature plant then.
craigwilliams
It seems like there are a few species which are considered edible by foragers (including Bracken) and others which are considered toxic. If the term "Fiddlehead' means edible young fern fronds then it shouldn't really apply to any and all wild ferns. The interesting point is identifying the ones that are good to eat when they are at this stage. Would be good to retrace your steps in a few weeks when the fronds are mature and see what you've got here. http://foragersharvest.com/fern-fiddleheads-the-succulent-stalks-of-spring/
KarenL
Hi Craig, I actually didn't see either being harvested - both were wild ferns spotted on a hike in one of the state natural areas. I've always known these unfolding ferns as fiddleheads which it why I titled them like this - I wasn't aware that the term referred to a specific species. If I am mistaken let me know & I will certainly correct my info.
craigwilliams
The rate of stomach cancer is rather high in Japan. I notice you have two very different unfolding croziers labelled as Fiddleheads that are eaten. Did you see both species being harvested?
KarenL
I've never eaten a fiddlehead Craig but I would be interested to try one! Interesting that one of the commonly eaten Japanese varieties is carcinogenic as I understand the Japanese have the lowest rate of cancer in the world! These were wild not cultivated & I have no idea of the species.
craigwilliams
I think the species commonly harvested in the US is Matteuccia struthiopteris, the Ostrich or Shuttlecock fern. Could be that's what these fiddleheads belong to. I've had Pteridium aquilinum better known as Bracken in Japan. It's not bad but contains a carcinogenic compound and its consumption is linked to stomach cancer. Nobody Japanese I've spoken to about this seems to have any inkling of it and it's a very commonly eaten seasonal vegetable. It's quite difficult to say no and being a vegetarian, I tend to get offered them a lot! I also had Diplazium esculentum in Thailand - quite nice and safe too I believe :)
KarenL
I hadn't either! I guess it's similar to eating asparagus tips!
Maria dB
had no idea that ferns were eaten!
Photographed
PublishedMarch 15, 2012

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