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Native Plant Database

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Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis (Royal fern)
Smith, R.W.

Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis (Willd.) Gray

Royal fern

Osmundaceae (Royal Fern Family)

USDA Symbol: OSRES

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Both the Latin and English names refer to the majesty of this large and graceful fern. In spring it is most colourful, both the fiddleheads and young fronds showing shades of orange to wine-red blended with greenish brown. (Ferns of Grey and Bruce Counties)

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf: Green
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Bloom Notes: This is a non-flowering plant that reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Habitat: Wet Meadow/Prairie/Field,Riparian,Swamp/Marsh,Lakeshores
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants to stop pond bank erosion
June 04, 2008
I recently purchased a home with a small pond in which a nearby stream daylights. The former owner placed large field stone around the pond and the small stream; however, the area around the pond and...
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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 regalis var. spectabilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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