Plant · GBIF taxon 2650999
ostrich fern
Matteuccia struthiopterisAlso known as Fiddlehead Fern, Shuttlecock Fern
Ostrich ferns form dramatic, vase-shaped crowns of plume-like fronds that can reach up to two meters in height. Emerging early in spring as tightly coiled fiddleheads, these deciduous plants produce separate, rigid brown fertile fronds in late summer that persist standing through winter snows. They spread aggressively via underground rhizomes, forming dense colonies in moist woodland soils and along riverbanks.
DeciduousFeatheryColony-Forming
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
Not available
ThreatsHabitat destruction, overharvesting of spring coils, invasive species
HabitatsMoist forests, floodplains, stream banks, damp rich woods
Life spanPerennial (rhizomes live for decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyOnocleaceae
- SpeciesMatteuccia struthiopteris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Raw fiddleheads cause stomach upset and have toxic look-alikes; never ingest wild plants based on app identification.
- Why it is dangerous
- Raw fiddleheads contain toxins causing severe nausea, and young emerging coils closely resemble toxic ferns like bracken.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for smooth stalks with a deep U-shaped groove and papery brown scales around emerging spring coils.
- What to do
- Observe and photograph wild fronds along trails without trampling wet soils or harvesting wild plants.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for the distinctive deep U-shaped groove along the inner side of the main leaf stalk.
- Habitat Care: Avoid trampling sensitive stream banks and wet floodplain soils where colonies establish.
- Winter Spotting: Watch for persistent, dark brown fertile fronds standing upright through winter snow.
Co-Occurring Fern (c) Michael Newlon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Newlon · cc-by
Toxic Look-Alike (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · cc-by
Family Relative (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark · cc-by
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