Ostrich Fern
Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
iNaturalist map of M. struthiopteris
M. struthiopteris is one of larger ferns. It gets its name from the frond resembling an ostrich feather. It grows in a classic vase shape.
The pinna grow right to the ground, getting ever smaller. There is very little stipe.
Each years new growth grows on top the previous base, building up a small 'trunk' that resembles the trunk of a coconut tree.
The fertile frond is completely different from the sterile frond. It grows from the center of the vase. It has a herringbone appearance and lasts the winter.
Domestic, fertile frond M. struthiopteris
M. struthiopteris can grow in large 'hedges'.
The fiddlehead is one of the only edible fiddleheads, but still needs to be boiled to be edible.
