Cinnamon Fern
Cinnamon fern, Osumundastrum cinnamomeum, is found in many places in the Eastern United States
iNaturalist map of Cinnamon Fern
Cinnamon fern is a 'true fern'. It is bipinnate. It has both fertile and sterile blades. A very distinctive characteristic is a white tuft at the intersection of the rachis and costa at almost every intersection of the sterile blade.
Both the sterile and fertile plants are shown here. The fertile plant has the distinctive cinnamon color, thus its name. Late May to early June is height of color.
The fiddle heads of the cinnamon fern are covered in a white gauze at they emerge. Other ferns have this gauze covering.
A close-up of the fertile frond, not yet fully mature. The tip is still green.
The tufts on the underside of the sterile frond. Also the bipinnate nature of the frond can also be seen.
Given enough time, many years, from one plant, a Cinnamon fern will create a fairy ring.
Cultivated, Fairfield, CT, USA May 2025