Fern flower

It is closely guarded by evil spirits and though the one who succeeds in gathering it can receive earthly riches, that attainment has always brought ill luck, so some leave it alone.

[1] In the Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian tradition, the fern flower is supposed to appear only on the night of 23 to 24 June during the celebration of the summer solstice which is called Jāņi in Latvia, Joninės or Rasos in Lithuania, Jaaniõhtu or Jaaniöö in Estonia and juhannus in Finland.

During this supposedly magical night, young couples go into the woods "seeking the fern flower", which is most commonly read as a euphemism for sex.

Referring to this tradition, Papardes zieds ("fern flower" in Latvian) is the name of an NGO in Latvia that promotes education about matters pertaining to sexuality, fertility, and relationships.

Similar beliefs are attested in Sweden, where the fern flower was said to be found only at midnight on Midsummer's Eve, and even then was protected by magic and thus hard to obtain.

[citation needed] Central Europe is rife with stories of a flowering fern blooming only on Midsummer night or at Christmas.

The following love charm was uttered while collecting the plant:[4] Nasięźrzale, nasięźrzale, Rwę cię śmiale, Pięcią palcy, szóstą, dłonią, Niech się chłopcy za mną gonią; Po stodole, po oborze, Dopomagaj, Panie Boże.