Family

Onocleaceae

Description

Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a robust, clump-forming species known for its tall, upright fronds that unfurl in spring with a dramatic, vase-like habit reminiscent of ostrich plumes. Its fertile fronds appear later in the season as stiff, cinnamon-brown spikes that persist through winter, offering structure and texture in naturalistic plantings. In early spring, tightly coiled fiddleheads emerge and are sometimes harvested as a seasonal wild edible, though proper identification and preparation are essential.

Native to cool, moist forests and riverbanks across the northern United States and Canada, Matteuccia struthiopteris prefers rich, consistently damp soils in partial to full shade. It spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies over time, making it an excellent choice for stabilizing streambanks or filling shaded understories in woodland gardens.