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Questions and Answers: 2019

Question: Hi, a friend just sent me this photo. She took it in the early spring. Moss is damp, projectile is …

  • Question

    Hi, a friend just sent me this photo. She took it in the early spring. Moss is damp, projectile is dry. Maybe a seed pod from the year before? Located under tall, old white pines n hemlocks but within 15' of intermittant stream bed.I have no idea what this could be? Is it even a plant? Thanks!

    Answer

    Dear spike116, it is hard to tell from the image, but those may be the distal end of fern root stalks, where the remnant leaf bases are still present and remaining as the dark, fibrous remains.