Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Dramatic, feathery green fronds rise in giant vase-like crowns up to 5 feet tall, recalling tropical palm fronds. Plump spring fiddleheads are a prized wild delicacy when cooked. Spreads vigorously via underground runners to form bold colonies in moist, shaded woods and stream banks.
- Family
- Onocleaceae
- Type
- fern
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 3–6 ft
- Spacing
- 5–8 ft apart
- Light
- part shade, shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Landscape uses
- border, naturalizing, rain garden
- Native states
- AK, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, WV