Osmunda spectabilis
The clustered sporangia of this fern give it a flowering appearance
Osmunda spectabilis royal fern
Synonyms:
Osmunda regalis, Osmunda regalis ssp. spectabilis
This stately fern may look like a small shrub growing in clusters, thus its common name royal fern. It is found in wetland places, such as bogs, marshes, and swamps. Because the fertile pinnae are clustered at the top of each frond, this fern looks like it is flowering and so is called the flowering fern. These 'flowers' bear many thousands of tiny spores. The foliage is pale green in sunlight and bright green in less intense light. The leaves are reminiscent of those of a locust tree or other species from the legume family.
Habitat & Range
Grows in swamps, bogs, marshes, and moist acidic soils.
Ranges from New Brunswick to Florida, and west to Missisipi
| EMP: | OBL |
|---|---|
| NCNE: | OBL |
Characteristics
Fronds 3 feet long. Large, somewhat coarse, and arching.
Sterile blade oblong, rather variable in size and contour; cut into 6 or more pairs of pinnae, those are cut into pinnules. Because the pinnae and pinnules are highly separated, fronds have a pea-like appearance.
Fertile blade similar to sterile blade but has a very distinctive cluster of branched, light brown, spore-bearing pinnules at blade tips; these pinnules are densely clustered and contracted.
Pinnae oblong, ascending, sub-opposite, and spaced widely; from 2 to 11 in long. Cut into 8 or more pairs of pinnules.
Pinnules narrow, oblong, ends are blunt-tipped or rounded; bases also rounded; small distinct stalks, mostly alternate. Those near pinna tip are longer and very variable. Veins forked; with main vein distinct.
Rachis slender, round; pale pinkish to greenish in color.
Stipe smooth, pinkish and reddish at base. 8 to 20 in long.
Rhizome often 6 in. above ground; semi-erect, covered with old stipes, normally forming a bunch-like base, deeply embedded into the ground.
Sori there are none. Naked sporangia, short-stalked, in clusters, bright green when ripened, becoming rusty and eventually dark brown after opening.
Plant Codes
S-rank: No rank
G-rank: G5 (Secure)
APG/Taxonomization Info
Pennsylvania's species Osmunda regalis ssp. spectabilis moved to its own species Osmunda spectabilis
Osmunda spectabilis royal fern
