Matteuccia struthiopteris is an upright to arching, deciduous fern 100-170 cm tall. It is the only species in the genus Matteuccia. The fern typically occurs in thickets, understories of woodlands, and swampy riverbanks and sandbars.
It is easily identified by its broad, lance-shaped, bright-green sterile fronds and shorter, brown fertile fronds.
Ostrich Fern Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Tracheophyta
- Class: Polypodiopsida
- Order: Polypodiales
- Family: Onocleaceae
- Genus: Matteuccia
- Species: Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Common Names: Ostrich Feather Fern, Fiddlehead Fern, and Shuttlecock Fern
Nativity and Distribution
Ostrich Fern occurs in Central and Northern Europe, North America, and Northern Asia. It is among the biggest species of fern in North America.
Physical Characteristics
- Leaves: Long, bright green sterile fronds and shorter, brown fertile fronds
- Stems: Green stems attached at a crown
- Roots: Fibrous root system
Matteuccia struthiopteris is a herbaceous, colony-forming fern that can reach 90-180cm tall. It is the only species in the genus Matteuccia.
You can identify it by its almost vertical, broad, lance-shaped, bright-green sterile fronds and shorter, brown fertile fronds.
The fronds occur in two forms: green sterile and brown fertile fronds. The green fronds are arching, lance-shaped, about 100-170 cm tall and 20-35 cm wide. They are rapidly tapering at the tip, broadest at the middle, and tapering to the base, resembling ostrich plumes. Fronds bear 30-50 branchlets.
The lower fronds are erect, lyre-shaped, shorter, 40-65 cm long, and brown in maturity. They emerge in autumn, persist through winter, and release the spores in spring.
The fronds are borne on green stipes (leaf stalks) attached to a crown. Stems may be covered with short white hairs, but often don’t persist.
Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Seeds: Produces spores
- Climate: Temperate climate
- Dispersal: Wind
M. struthiopteris behaves as a perennial, thriving in temperate climates along the northern hemisphere. It reproduces by spores and vegetative means.
In spring, tightly coiled fiddleheads emerge from the crown. They unfurl gradually, developing into sterile fronds. In autumn, the fern produces additional fronds that are fertile, containing spores.
The fronds persist through winter and release the microscopic spores in spring that are mostly dispersed by wind to shorter distances.
To quickly propagate over longer distances, the fern primarily spreads vegetatively by producing underground rhizomes. The rhizomes extend laterally, allowing for new crowns to form, which then send up fronds.
Fiddlehead Fern prefers heavy, moist soil, often in shady or semi-shaded areas. However, it can tolerate sun if moisture is present, but otherwise, full sun and hail can lead to browning.
It commonly occurs in thickets, woodland understories, swampy riverbanks, and sandbars.
Similar Plants
- Onoclea sensibilis
- Osmundastrum cinnamomea
- Osmunda claytonia
Uses
- It is widely used in gardens, shade gardens, and rain gardens as an ornamental for its green, feather-like foliage.
- It is used as a border plant in diverse areas and in the restoration of wetland edges.
- The fern can assist in soil ero sion control along streambanks and floodplains.
- The fiddleheads and sprouts are considered a delicacy in North America and Japan, often cooked as a vegetable.
- The fiddleheads were used in beer production in Norway and as medicine for treating gut parasites in Russia.
- It is a common food for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.
Impact on Farms and Environment
M. struthiopteris is not considered a notorious weed in farmlands, but competition is possible for water in riparian lands or low-lying areas. Additionally, it is a host of the fungal mushroom, Woldmaria, which can cause damage to desirable plants.
In the environment, Ostrich Fern is not a known invasive species, but it has the potential to spread aggressively through rhizomes, with their dense colonies taking over large areas if left unchecked.
Control
- Mechanical control: Hand-pulling and frequent cutting
- Chemical control: Herbicides like triclopyr and glyphosate
Where Ostrich Fern is undesired, try hand-pulling the rhizomes as they are relatively shallow. Ensure that you remove the entire system, as even small fragments can regenerate into new plants.
Frequent cutting of the fronds can exhaust crown and rhizome reserves over time, leading to its gradual decline.
For larger infestations, cutting and then applying herbicides like triclopyr and glyphosate can be effective. After cutting the foliage, apply the herbicide on the remaining fronds. You may need to repeat the treatments for the best results.
Make sure to read the label and follow the application instructions to avoid damaging desired plants.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.