Baby fern fronds are called fiddleheads.

They unfurl from the earth, unrolling and lengthening as they spread out their leaflets.

A cross-section looks like that of a chambered nautilus.

 

This fiddle is from one of my favorite ferns, the Japanese holly fern/Cyrtomium falcatum. 

One reason I love this fern is its random arrangement of sori on the underside of the fronds.

No nice little rows for this fern.

When the fiddles unfurl, spring has sprung.

Wait for it…

Follow the Flower