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Native Plant Database

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Osmunda claytoniana L.

Interrupted fern

Osmundaceae (Royal Fern Family)

USDA Symbol: OSCL2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The fronds of interrupted fern occur in groups. Once-pinnate fertile fronds, which are slightly longer, have 2-5 pair of pinnae in the center of the frond which are twice-pinnate and utilized solely for spore bearing. Sterile fronds bend outward forming a vase-shaped circle enclosing the interrupted fronds. This fern can reach a height of 6 ft.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Brown
Bloom Time: Jun
Bloom Notes: This is a non-flowering plant that reproduces by spores which are brown.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Nf. to Man., s. to GA & LA
Native Habitat: Rich, wooded slopes; moist ledges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist to dry, acid to neutral soils.
Conditions Comments: Interrupted fern is easy to cultivate.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by spores or rhizome division.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Possible ground covers under pine trees in Illinois
April 18, 2006
Have pine trees in front of house. No luck with the lawn around them....was told it's because of ground acidity. Any tips on how to get a lawn to grow there? If not, can you suggest some ground cover...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Amandas Garden - Springwater, NY
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Osmunda claytoniana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Osmunda claytoniana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Osmunda claytoniana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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