Osmunda spectabilis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- os-MUN-duh speck-TAB-ih-liss
- Description
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American royal fern is a deciduous perennial in the royal-fern family (Osmundaceae). This fern is native to both North, Central and South America. It occurs naturally in shaded forests, marshes, floodplains, swamp forests and other wetlands throughout its range. The species epithet means “spectacular.”
The American royal fern likes sun or partial shade and acidic, moist, humus-rich soils. It grows 2 to 5 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide. This plant can be clump-forming and is commonly used as shelter by small mammals. It changes from a beautiful green to a golden-brown color in fall.
The fern does well in native, fern and shade gardens.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Osmunda
- Species:
- spectabilis
- Family:
- Osmundaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and South America
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Native Plant
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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)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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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:
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
