Matteuccia

Matteuccia is a genus of ferns in the order Polypodiales. It contains a single living species, Matteuccia struthiopteris, commonly called the ostrich fern. The genus has a fossil record and includes extinct species described from ancient material, though M. struthiopteris is the well-known contemporary representative.

Matteuccia struthiopteris forms large perennial colonies from a creeping rhizome. Fronds are tall and arching, with a broad blade of leaflets arranged along the rachis, giving a plume-like silhouette reminiscent of an ostrich’s plumage. Young fronds emerge in spring as fiddleheads wrapped in brown scales; the edible fiddleheads are harvested as a spring delicacy in some regions when properly identified and prepared.

This fern is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It thrives in moist, fertile soils found in woodlands, along streams, and in marshy sites, typically under partial to full shade. It can tolerate periodic flooding and, in suitable conditions, may naturalize outside its native range.

In cultivation, Matteuccia struthiopteris is valued for shade garden and wetland plantings. It prefers rich, consistently moist soil, organic matter, and protection from direct, hot sun. It spreads by rhizomes and may require periodic division to maintain vigor and control its growth in garden settings.

Overall, Matteuccia struthiopteris remains the principal species of note in the genus, distinguished by its tall, arching fronds and, in edible form, its spring fiddleheads. See also ferns and ostrich fern for related topics.