# What Is a Red Fern Plant?
An actual red fern plant does not exist. It is a mythical plant made popular by the book "Where the Red Fern Grows." However, there are several types of ferns that have red stems, veins, new growth, seasonal color or fronds that give the impression of a red fern.
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The Legend of the Red Fern
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The author, Wilson Rawls, explains that the title of the book "Where the Red Fern Grows" is taken from a Native American legend. In the legend, a boy and girl freeze to death in a blizzard. A red fern is discovered growing in between their bodies when they are found months later. The legend states that red ferns never die, they can only be planted by an angel and their presence makes a spot holy.
Red Stems and Veins
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Ferns belonging to the genus Athyrium are highly-regarded for their color as well as their delicate foliage. Several species within this genus, including the Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum), eared lady fern (Athyrium otophorum) and the red-stemmed lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), have dramatic maroon-red stems and veins.
Red on New Growth and Fronds
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The Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) turns color seasonally. The fronds appear red in color when young. Peak color appears in the spring with new growth, although the fronds turn a pleasing rust color in the fall. The mahogany fern (Didymochlaena truncatula) also produces reddish mahogany colored new growth that fades to green with age.
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