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Royal Fern Osmunda spectabilis

Other plants called Royal Fern:

Previously known as:

  • Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
Phonetic Spelling
os-MUN-duh speck-TAB-ih-liss
Description

Royal Fern is a native deciduous fern found in the acidic, moist, rich, humusy soils of shaded forests, marshes, floodplains, swamp forests, and other wetlands in North and South America. This plant is clump forming and is commonly used as shelter by small mammals. It has a beautiful, yellow-bronze fall color.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fern#small mammals#NC native#deer resistant#native fern#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#Audubon
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fern#small mammals#NC native#deer resistant#native fern#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#Audubon
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Native Plant
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade