Matteuccia

Matteuccia ostrich fern

A circumboreal genus containing 3 species, only 1 in our area.  Ostrich ferns are large and are closely related to Sensitive ferns.  Sterile and fertile fronds are very different, the large sterile ones resemble ostrich feathers, fertile ones persist through the winter and the spores are released early the following spring before the new leaves emerge.

Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern) Plant is native to PA

The tall, erect, gracefully arching sterile …

Matteuccia ostrich fern

Matteuccia gallery
Common Names
ostrich fern