QuestionI am familiar with the book "where the red fern grows" but can't find any such plant. What is the actual name of the plants this book is referring to? (common and scientific)
AnswerI believe this to be a fictional/mythological plant. To verify my opinion, I searched the Internet and checked my reference books with no results.
It is possible that "red fern" is a regional name for a plant that somewhat resembles a fern. Other possibilities include reddish color of emerging fronds and/or orange fall color. The native Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) has a variant form that has reddish stipes (leaf stalks); this also could be the plant.
