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Matteuccia pensylvanica
  • Ostrich Fern

a member of the Matteuccia genus in the family Polypodiaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Matteuccia pensylvanica has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[1]. 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[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Young fronds - raw or cooked[3][4][5][2]. Used before they fully unroll, they are thick and succulent[6]. Sometimes sold in speciality markets according to one report, whilst another says that they are a famine food that is only used when all else fails[7]. Rootstock - peeled and roasted[8][2][7][6].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Matteuccia pensylvanica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Matteuccia pensylvanica.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[9]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Matteuccia pensylvanica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a moist but well-drained position and light shade[9][10]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes full sun, the leaves turning yellow and burning in such a situation[1]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6.5[1].

Hardy to about -20°c[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[11]. This species is included in O. struthiopteris by most botanists, but it is slightly different[1]. A very ornamental plant[9], it establishes rapidly[10]. It has a short rhizome but produces long stolons, by which it spreads rapidly once established[10], and it can be invasive[1]. Fertile fronds are produced after the first flush of vegetative fronds and persist throughout the following winter. The spores are shed in mid-winter[1].

Grown commercially for its decorative fronds[8]. These fronds are also available as a food from speciality markets[6]. Plants can be forced in the winter to provide an early supply of the young shoots[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Matteuccia pensylvanica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Matteuccia pensylvanica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Matteuccia pensylvanica
Genus
Matteuccia
Family
Polypodiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][2][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[1][12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1986-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    11. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada ISBN 0-660-00025-3 (1978-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Matteuccia_pensylvanica&oldid=78622"
    Facts about "Matteuccia pensylvanica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPolypodiaceae +
    Belongs to genusMatteuccia +
    Has binomial nameMatteuccia pensylvanica +
    Has common nameOstrich Fern +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has search namematteuccia pensylvanica + and ostrich fern +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMatteuccia pensylvanica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Matteuccia pensylvanica + and Matteuccia pensylvanica +