Local Plants: Koshida (Old World Forked Fern; Dicranopteris linearis)
This evergreen fern favors sunny, fairly dry locations around low mountains. Its rhizome (below-ground stem) is stiff like wire, and has fine, dark brown hairs that stretch a long way below the surface of the surrounding soil. The fronds branch off from the central stem in wing-like pairs. Each frond consists of a series of narrow leaves radiating in opposition from a central leaf stalk, and grows between 20 and 50 centimeters in length. In Japan, the purple-brown leaf stalks of this fern have traditionally been used in basket weaving and other crafts.