Osmunda claytoniana, the interrupted fern, is a fern native to Eastern Asia and eastern North America, in the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada.
Family:
Osmundaceae (Royal Fern)
Height:
2 to 4 feet
Leaves:
Leaves (20-40” long) are compound, with oblong, lobed leaflets.
Spores:
Spores are dark green, bead-like capsules attached to a stalk growing from the middle of the leaf. Spores turn brown as they mature, and wither once released, leaving a large gap at the center of the compound leaf, hence the “interruption”.
Bloom time:
June-September
Nicknames:
None
Habitat:
Interrupted Fern prefers partial shade, moist to well-drained, humid, sheltered conditions, and slightly acidic, organic-rich, sandy or loamy soils. It is commonly found in moist open woodlands, sandy wooded areas, and at swamp edges.
Wildlife Benefits:
Foliage is a food source for caterpillars. Colonies provide habitat cover for ground-nesting birds and small mammals.
Can I plant this in my garden?
This species may be very difficult to grow, but is likely to do well in shady, moist areas with acidic, organic-rich soils, once established.
References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/fern/interrupted-fern
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/inter_fern.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/osmunda-claytoniana/
Habit | Forb |
---|---|
Family | Osmundaceae |
Origin | native |
Life cycle | perennial |
*sites | Snail Lake |