Ostrich Fern Onoclea struthiopteris
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Phonetic Spelling
- on-oh-KLEE-uh struth-ee-op-TER-iss
- Description
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Ostrich fern is an easy to grow fern in the Aspleniaceae family native to Eurasia. It is found growing in swampy moist areas, thickets, and the understory of woodlands. With erect rosette crown of bright green fronds it reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet and a width of 2 to 4 feet.
They naturally occur in heavy, moist soil but adapt to light, rich soil and prefer constant moisture. Plant in partial to full shade but it will tolerate sun with cool temperatures and adequate moisture. Divide the crowns in the spring to propagate.
In general, ferns are resistant to browsing by deer. The emerging fiddleheads are edible and make an interesting addition to an understory woodland garden, planted in a shade border, or along a slope to prevent erosion. It works well to naturalize or for use in a rain garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. The stout rhizomes send out slender underground runners that form new plant colonies which can be weedy.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Four-Season Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Barbara Alexander'
- 'Barbara Alexander'
- 'Barbara Alexander'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Barbara Alexander'
- 'Barbara Alexander'
- 'Barbara Alexander'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Onoclea
- Species:
- struthiopteris
- Family:
- Aspleniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America, Temp. Eurasia
- Edibility:
- Fiddleheads can be cooked and consumed
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Vase-shaped clump of arching, oblong, lance shaped fronds; vegetative fronds are plumelike, broadest above the middle and tapering to the base; 30-50 pairs of pinnatifid pinnae; tip of frond is abruptly constricted; 6-12 in. lyre-shaped fertile fronds produced in summer, become brown and woody; short stipe is slightly covered with whitish hairs
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Near Septic
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
