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Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris

Large, colony-forming perennial fern with erect, course, stout, leafy crowns growing to a height of 6'. A lovely, large fern that is used in wet woods, shaded landscapes that are moist, along wooded stream banks and steeps. It is ideal for alluvial deposits and other rich woodland soils. Because this species spreads by rhizomes and forms large colonies, it may be aggressive in certain conditions. This may be desirable in some instances to compete with invasive species.

USDA symbol: MAST

General Information

Plant TypeFern
Height2 to 6 feet
Light ExposurePart Sun, Shade
Soil MoistureMedium
Bloom ColorGreen
Ostrich Fern (Ostrich Fern<div><em class="small">Matteuccia struthiopteris</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceLow
Stress ToleranceGeneral Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Low

Bloom MonthsJune to August

Project Planning

Project TypeRestoration, Sandy or Engineered Soils
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands