Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern PFAF Plant Database

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Matteuccia struthiopteris - (L.)Tod.

Common Name

Ostrich Fern

Family

Polypodiaceae

Synonyms

Onoclea germanica. Pterinodes struthiopteris. Struthiopteris germanica.

Known Hazards

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172].

Habitats

Light shade on rocky stream banks, forming extensive colonies[187]. Wooded ravines in Turkey, 650 - 1200 metres[93].

Range

N. Temperate zone. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics
Matteuccia struthiopteris is a FERN growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is hardy to zone 2. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.


Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester.

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves; Root. Edible Uses: Young fronds - raw or cooked[62, 102, 116, 172]. Used before they fully unroll, they are thick and succulent[183]. Sometimes sold in speciality markets, the flavour can be compared to asparagus[200]. Another report says that they are a famine food that is only used in times of need in China[177]. Rootstock - peeled and roasted[106, 172, 183].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Birthing aid; Miscellany. A decoction of the leaf stalk base from sterile fronds has been taken in the treatment of back pain and also to help speed up the expulsion of the afterbirth[257].

Other Uses
Miscellany. Plants make a good ground cover[200] when spaced about 60cm apart each way[208]. They spread slowly and the fronds tend to die off earlier in the autumn than most ferns[208].

Cultivation details

Requires a moist but well-drained position and light shade[1, 187]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes full sun, the leaves turning yellow and burning in such a situation[200]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6.5[200]. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -20°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. A very ornamental plant[1], it establishes rapidly[187]. It has a short rhizome but produces long stolons, by which it spreads rapidly once established[187], and it can be invasive[200]. Fertile fronds are produced after the first flush of vegetative fronds and persist throughout the following winter. The spores are shed in mid-winter[200]. Grown commercially for its decorative fronds[106]. These fronds are also available as a food from speciality markets[183, 200]. Plants can be forced in the winter to provide an early supply of the young shoots[183].

Propagation

Spores - surface sow as soon as they are ripe in mid-winter and keep the soil moist. It is best to keep the pot in a sealed plastic bag to hold in the moisture. Pot up small clumps of the young plants as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade until large enough to plant out. Division during the dormant season between October and March[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

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Expert comment

Author
(L.)Tod.

Botanical References
93200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[62]Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants.

Very readable.

[93]Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey.

Not for the casual reader, this is an immense work in many volumes. Some details of plant uses and habitats.

[102]Kavasch. B. Native Harvests.

Another guide to the wild foods of America.

[106]Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants.

Interesting reading but short on detail.

[116]Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2.

A small booklet packed with information.

[172]Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[187]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2.

Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[208]Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover

An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[257]Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany

Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
feliz	Mon Jan 30 2006

its so cool

ostrich fern

Elizabeth H.
david n	Wed Apr 8 2009

The Oxford Companion to Food describes the fiddleheads as a "wild delicacy"

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