NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica
Ostrich Fern
Scientific Name: |
Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica |
---|---|
Genus: |
Matteuccia |
Species Epithet: |
struthiopteris |
Common Name: |
Ostrich Fern |
Plant Type |
Fern/Clubmoss/Allies |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Onocleaceae (Sensitive Fern Family) |
Native/Alien: |
US Native |
Size: |
3-6 ft., 6-12 ft. |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist, Wet |
Habitat Description: |
Alluvial forests and calcareous wetlands (Weakley 2015). Native from VA north and west; not native in NC. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Basal |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Fern Frond |
Leaf Form: |
Compound |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Has some wildlife value |
Landscape Value: |
Not Recommended for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
(*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G_T_: Subspecies or Variety Rank (add status to NOTES section) (*Key) |
State Status: |
(*Key) |
Notes: |
"The sterile fronds of ostrich fern are 2-8 ft. tall, once-pinnate, tapered at both base and apex, brown-stemmed, and slightly scaly. Fertile fronds are shorter, with edges of pinnae turned in to form a beaded plume persistent through winter. The rootstock is creeping, producing urn-like clusters of fronds." Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center |
December 2004 |
|
Larry Mellichamp |
|
Larry Mellichamp |
|
Larry Mellichamp |
|
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