Winter Ferns 2024-2025

Ostrich Fern

Ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are usually one of the most popular ferns in the springtime, when their edible fiddleheads come up. At that point they are bright green and fleshy, while now their fertile fronds are dark brown and dry. But they are beautiful in the snow, and great for dry "flower" arrangements. As you can see, they do look like feathers, much different from the Sensitive Fern fertile fronds that also overwinter. Sometimes you will find these two different ferns growing in the same wetland, but not usually intermingling. At full development the Ostrich Fern sterile fronds are very large and look like large ostrich feathers.

Although we still have a lot of snow on the ground in our area, Spring is on the way. Ostrich Fern fiddleheads are not the earliest to come up, but in about 5 weeks we should be seeing them again! My notes say the first Ostrich Fern fiddleheads we saw last year at one of our favorite places was on April 14th. Hard to believe how much the conditions will have to change to have Ostrich Fern fiddleheads by that date this year, but we can hope!

3/2/25

Posted: to PV Fern News on Sun, Mar 2, 2025
Updated: Sun, Mar 2, 2025