Fiddleheads: Fern species id?

Question: Hello: I was out hiking this afternoon at Patapsco Valley State Park along the Ridge Trail and harvested a few fiddleheads. Two questions: 1) what species are these? and 2) are they edible?
Thanks.
Richard

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 12, 2023, 9:38 AM EDT
response: Hello Richard,  Unfortunately we cannot ID these fiddleheads because the traits of the mature leaves are not visible; additionally, fern ID relies heavily on the arrangement pattern of spore capsules on the underside of mature fronds. Fiddleheads are hard to tell apart, and many species are emerging now in Maryland. (Maryland has roughly 75 species of ferns.) You could inquire with the park's rangers to see if they recognize them from the photo, especially given the location within the park, though you might not want to mention harvesting them since collecting/removing plants from a state park is probably illegal (and at the very least is discouraged). We do not comment on the edibility of foraged or wild plants (unless, in rare cases, the plant ID is clear) because mistaken identification can lead to the ingestion of toxic plants, especially when poisonous species and edible species are nearly identical in appearance. Some plants are also only edible when prepared in certain ways (boiling in multiple changes of water, for example) and when picked at specific times to avoid the buildup of toxins in the foliage or fruit.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 12, 2023, 4:46 PM EDT
response: Hello Miri: Just to clarify: to the best of my knowledge it is NOT illegal to harvest plants in Maryland State Parks as long as the roots are left intact. I specifically inquired about this some time ago. In fact, a friend of mine who harvests various plants and mushrooms for personal use was rather upset because there have been people harvesting for restaurant use that are clearing out entire fiddlehead stands. When my friend (who happens to be an attorney who works in the area of environment and public health) inquired he was specifically told it was NOT illegal.   In fact, the rangers I spoke to did not "discourage" harvesting---at all.It DOES strike me as inconsiderate. However, edible plants such as fiddleheads are an important part of the local economy, albeit seasonally.    If the policy has changed recently----and you have SPECIFIC statutory information, please send that along.  However, your response struck me as highly speculative and absent documentation.    Thanks,RichardOn Fri, May 12, 2023 at 9:38 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 12, 2023, 5:46 PM EDT
response: Hello Richard,  We apologize if you were offended; we were mostly mentioning the issue of legality as a cautionary point you might have wanted to investigate (as we had no indication you had inquired with others about it already) since foragers are not always aware there can be restrictions on plant collection on county/state/federally-owned property. We have encountered several references to the statement "In Maryland State Parks and Forests, foraging is not allowed: an individual may not remove, disturb, damage, or destroy a plant, rock, mineral, or animal without a permit" but cannot find the official DNR web page confirming or refuting this as it appears to be a broken link at present. Of course, the rules might also vary based on individual parks and which plant species is being discussed. It also might depend on whether foraging is for personal use versus harvesting plant parts for sale, such as at a farmer's market. As you pointed-out this is not an issue we have authority or expertise on, and Extension is not a regulatory agency.  We looked for authoritative web-based fern ID resources for you but came up lacking, though we can try another ID attempt if you are able to photograph more fronds and spores for comparison. So far, we have not located any keys to fern species ID that are easy to use and relevant to the mid-Atlantic. The Maryland Native Plant Society's web pages include one for wild ferns, but their list is limited (compared to the entire species list for the state), the photos small and few, and no key is provided to differentiate the pictured traits. The galleries of species on Maryland Biodiversity Project might be useful but might not include images of fiddleheads for all species. The University of Maine has a web page about Ostrich Fern fiddleheads and their consumption (though few photos for ID comparison). Our best guess due to the apparent fuzziness of the fiddleheads in your photo is Christmas Fern (especially if they were growing in relatively dry woodlands atop rocky slopes where this fern is common), but our confidence for this ID is not high; Cinnamon Fern fiddleheads can also be fuzzy, for example.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 12, 2023, 8:26 PM EDT
response: I was not offended, Miri, just startled considering that I had inquired. Perhaps there is a rule that is simply not enforced. Regarding the edibility of ferns, after discussing your message with my foraging friend he reminded me (I'd read this before) that many species are considered carcinogenic---but Ostrich Ferns are considered safe.I appreciate what extension services here and elsewhere provide. (I did read the Maine extension info on Ostrich Ferns).  Although the Ask an Expert service is voluntary, that it is available through the extension service reflects a good use of Maryland taxpayers' dollars. Enjoy the Spring weather---and happy foraging!Cheers,RichardOn Fri, May 12, 2023 at 5:46 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 15, 2023, 10:18 AM EDT
response: Thank you, and good luck in your foraging!  Miri