Practical
Plants

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich Fern

a member of the Matteuccia genus in the family Polypodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[9]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young fronds - raw or cooked[13][2][4][5]. Used before they fully unroll, they are thick and succulent[7]. Sometimes sold in speciality markets, the flavour can be compared to asparagus[9]. Another report says that they are a famine food that is only used in times of need in China[6]. Rootstock - peeled and roasted[3][5][7].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the leaf stalk base from sterile fronds has been taken in the treatment of back pain and also to help speed up the expulsion of the afterbirth[12].

Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Miscellany

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants make a good ground cover[9] when spaced about 60cm apart each way[10]. They spread slowly and the fronds tend to die off earlier in the autumn than most ferns[10].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
N. Temperate zone. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Light shade on rocky stream banks, forming extensive colonies[8]. Wooded ravines in Turkey, 650 - 1200 metres[14].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a moist but well-drained position and light shade[1][8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes full sun, the leaves turning yellow and burning in such a situation[9]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6.5[9]. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -20°c[9]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], it establishes rapidly[8]. It has a short rhizome but produces long stolons, by which it spreads rapidly once established[8], and it can be invasive[9]. Fertile fronds are produced after the first flush of vegetative fronds and persist throughout the following winter. The spores are shed in mid-winter[9]. Grown commercially for its decorative fronds[3]. These fronds are also available as a food from speciality markets[7][9]. Plants can be forced in the winter to provide an early supply of the young shoots[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩

  3. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

    ↩

  5. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  13. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  14. Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00

    ↩

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