Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro, Minnesota native ferns, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro

former Onoclea struthiopteris

Dryopteridaceae – Wood Fern family

Ostrich Fern is common and popular garden plant as its upright green sterile fronds can reach 3 feet and in perfect conditions up to 6 feet. It is so named because the fronds resemble the plume-shape of the large ostrich feather. They are 1-pinnate (once divided). They form a vase shape, tapering toward the base and widest at the top. The lowest pinnae (the branches off the main stem) are reduced in size which gives this tapered appearance. Growth is from a creeping rhizome which forms a crown which in mature plants will become elevated above the ground. Clumps will spread and may be invasive. Divide in the Autumn. The fertile fronds are much shorter, erect, brown in color with inrolled segments to enclose the sporangia (spore forming organs) and these fronds have very stiff pinnae. In summer, these will be hidden by the taller sterile fronds. Like the Sensitive Fern, these fronds will persist through the winter, providing landscape interest. The proper growing conditions are moist rich soil, light to full shade. Full sun is OK if the area is cool and wet. They look good in drifts.

Above and below: Typical vase shape of the Ostrich Fern with the fronds being wider toward the top.

Above: Note the decreasing size of the pinnea approaching the base of the frond

Above: Note the staggering of how the pinnea attach to the central rachis (Stem).

Below: The overwintering fertile fronds of Ostrich Fern. Center photo - note the sori (clusters of individual bumppy looking sporangia, each of which can produce up to 64 spores). Right - some of the sporangia are opening exposing the individual spores.

Below: The typical vase shape form of the fern.

Below: Note the v-shape vein pattern.

Above: The sterile frond of Ostrich Fern. Below. Historical photo - A group of Ostrich fern in the Woodland Garden, photo from a Kodachrome taken by Martha Crone, June 9, 1950. Photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society, Martha Crone Collection.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Ostrich Fern	Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro former Onoclea struthiopteris	Dryopteridaceae – Wood Fern family	Woodland	Spring to Fall
Other names and notes	Ostrich Fern is common and popular garden plant as its upright green sterile fronds can reach 3 feet and in perfect conditions up to 6 feet. It is so named because the fronds resemble the plume-shape of the large ostrich feather. They are 1-pinnate (once divided). They form a vase shape, tapering toward the base and widest at the top. The lowest pinnae (the branches off the main stem) are reduced in size which gives this tapered appearance. Growth is from a creeping rhizome which forms a crown which in mature plants will become elevated above the ground. Clumps will spread and may be invasive. Divide in the Autumn. The fertile fronds are much shorter, erect, brown in color with inrolled segments to enclose the sporangia (spore forming organs) and these fronds have very stiff pinnae. In summer, these will be hidden by the taller sterile fronds. Like the Sensitive Fern, these fronds will persist through the winter, providing landscape interest. The proper growing conditions are moist rich soil, light to full shade. Full sun is OK if the area is cool and wet. They look good in drifts.