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Ostrich Fern

Ferns and Fern Allies

Matteuccia is a genus of ferns containing a single species, Matteuccia struthiopteris, commonly known as the ostrich fern, fiddlehead fern or shuttlecock fern; its species name comes from the Ancient Greek words for ostrich and fern, describing the shape of its fronds.

Facts
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
The ostrich fern's deciduous green sterile fronds are almost vertical, 100-170 cm tall and 20-35 cm broad, long tapering to the base but short tapering to the tip, so they resemble ostrich plumes. 1
Scientific Name
Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod. 1
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Matteuccia struthiopteris
  • Taxobox
    Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod.
  • Description section
    The fronds are dimorphic, with the deciduous green sterile fronds being almost vertical, 100-170 cm (39-67 in) tall and 20-35 cm (7.9-13.8 in) broad, long-tapering to the base but short-tapering to the tip, so that they resemble ostrich plumes, hence the name.
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