Ferns are a large group of spore plants with over 11,000 species. Ferns have been growing on our planet since the days of the dinosaurs. These plants have always aroused interest; many folk beliefs and legends were associated with them.
The fern flower in Slavic mythology has many names - perun ogneblossom, kochedyzhnik, rupture grass, heat-color. This ancient and mysterious plant has always amazed people with its unusual appearance. It was not clear how the fern reproduces in the absence of flowering. Therefore, magical properties were attributed to its elusive colors. The most famous legend tells of a fern flower that appears only on the night of Ivan Kupala. The one who finds a wonderful flower will become subject to many secret knowledge - he will be able to understand the language of plants and animals, he will see all the buried treasures, he will get rid of all ailments. But getting this flower is very difficult. Even if you managed to find it in the forest thicket, you still need not be afraid of the evil spirits that guard the flower. It is necessary to remain indifferent to her antics, not to be afraid of anything and not to run away, otherwise there is a chance to be torn apart by evil spirits. Having found the peruns of fire, you need to draw a circle around yourself, light a consecrated candle and read a prayer. In addition, in the hands should be a sprig of wormwood from the evil spell. If everything is done correctly, a thunderstorm will begin at midnight, the flower will bloom and the evil spirits will activate. Ignoring her, you need to go around the flower backwards three times, then pick it and run home without stopping or looking back. Unfortunately, this beautiful legend is just a fairy tale. The fern will not give its flower to anyone - biologists have long found out that it reproduces by spores. Dark stripes or dots can be seen on the back of the leaves of these plants. These are soruses - sacs where the smallest spores are stored. At the right time, the sori burst and the ripened spores scatter. A new plant begins to grow, but it will not reach its usual size until many years later. And yet, popular belief has some foundation. There are two very rare ferns in our forests - the grapefruit and the grasshopper. In dry hot weather, they throw out a yellowish narrow ear, similar to a brush of flowers. Of course, these are not flowers, but the spore-bearing part of the leaf on a long petiole.
