Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Ferns of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Item’s are ‘child’ level descriptions to ‘parent’ objects, (e.g. one page of a whole book).

  • FERNS OF GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK by George B. Stevenson Within the National Park, the dedicated amateur may find about thirty-five species of ferns. The use of the qualifying adjective is advisable, as some species are extremely rare, new species may still be found, and the status of several of the species that occur here is still under heated discussion by the experts. It is the nature of elementary handbooks of this type to make the task appear easier than it may prove to be. Not all individuals within a species resemble each other exactly; differences in soil, altitude, amount of sunlight, and complex heredities all play roles of varying importance in causing dissimilarities. Furthermore, some species cross-breed, and their hybrids may confuse professionals in this field. Complete identification can involve such matters as cell structure, chromosome number, the shape of tiny scales on the roots, and other matters largely beyond the competence and the interest of the layman. References used in compiling this booklet are Ferns of Tennessee, Jesse M. Shaver, George Peabody School for Teachers, 1954; Ferns of the Southeast, John K. Small, The Science Press, 1938; The Southern Fern Guide, Edgar T. Wherry, Doubleday, 1964; and the herbrarium of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Names used herein are those that this author believes to be the most reasonable compromises in the wealth of names, both scientific and common, that are to be found in the literature on ferns, and are given without apology. Anyone who insists on the use of other names is hereby invited to write his own booklet. copyright 1969 by George B. Stevenson
Object
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).