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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Matteuccia pensylvanica is a FERN growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. The seeds ripen from August to October.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. struthiopteris pensylvanica. (Willd.)Morton. Struthiopteris pensylvanica.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

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 according to some reports[183, 270], whilst another says that they are a famine food that is only used when all else fails[177]. Rootstock - peeled and roasted[106, 172, 177, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

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]. Hardy to about -20°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. This species is included in O. struthiopteris by most botanists, but it is slightly different[200]. 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]. Plants can be forced in the winter to provide an early supply of the young shoots[183].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Matteuccia orientalis		Fern	0.6	4-8		LMH	S	M	1	0
Matteuccia struthiopteris	Ostrich Fern	Fern	1.0	2-7	M	LMH	S	M	2	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

(Willd.)Raymond.

Botanical References

200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


	Fri Feb 20 2009

this is the best site ever

Matteuccia pensylvanica - (Willd.)Raymond.