Light reddish brown fertile fronds are among infertile fronds of cinnamon fern.
Cinnamon fern fiddleheads are tightly rolled and covered in wooly hairs.
Lots of cinnamon ferns are present in the shade with fertile fronds poking up here and there.
A large cinnamon fern has one fertile frond poking up in the middle.
Small tufts of hair are at the place the leaflets branch off from Christmas fern's rachis.
Light reddish brown fertile fronds are among infertile fronds of cinnamon fern.
Cinnamon fern fiddleheads are tightly rolled and covered in wooly hairs.
Lots of cinnamon ferns are present in the shade with fertile fronds poking up here and there.
A large cinnamon fern has one fertile frond poking up in the middle.
Small tufts of hair are at the place the leaflets branch off from Christmas fern's rachis.

Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)

from $5.50

Cinnamon Fern is one of the first ferns to emerge in the spring. Fiddleheads are covered by a tawny wool-like covering that is shed as the frond unfurls.

This fern grows 2-5 feet high. The infertile fronds have pinnules (leaflets) that are further divided into pinnae. The pinnae are rounded just like in Ostrich Fern, Royal Fern and Interrupted Fern.

The easiest way to tell these ferns (Ostrich, Interrupted, Cinnamon) apart is by their fertile fronds. Cinnamon Fern has separate fertile fronds that turn a reddish-brown (cinnamon) when mature. They are covered by small beads that contain the spores. See Info below for comments on the others.

If fertile fronds are not present, the next place to look for verification is the underside of the leaf. Cinnamon Fern has small tufts of hair where the leaftlets join the main stem (see photo).

Cinnamon Fern occurs naturally in wetter soils and humidity, throughoutj the state of Michigan. It wants dappled shade or part shade. You will need to provide it with an area that has these conditions or modify your site/add water to help it grow.

Companion Plants: marsh marigold, Michigan lily, cardinal flower, bishop’s cap, moonseed vine, sensitive fern

Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Cinnamon Fern

height: 2-4 feet

soil: medium-wet

sun: dappled shade, partial

plant spacing: 3’

life cycle: perennial

family: Osmundaceae

spore source: Michigan

Sizes:

Cinnamon Fern is one of the first ferns to emerge in the spring. Fiddleheads are covered by a tawny wool-like covering that is shed as the frond unfurls.

This fern grows 2-5 feet high. The infertile fronds have pinnules (leaflets) that are further divided into pinnae. The pinnae are rounded just like in Ostrich Fern, Royal Fern and Interrupted Fern.

The easiest way to tell these ferns (Ostrich, Interrupted, Cinnamon) apart is by their fertile fronds. Cinnamon Fern has separate fertile fronds that turn a reddish-brown (cinnamon) when mature. They are covered by small beads that contain the spores. See Info below for comments on the others.

If fertile fronds are not present, the next place to look for verification is the underside of the leaf. Cinnamon Fern has small tufts of hair where the leaftlets join the main stem (see photo).

Cinnamon Fern occurs naturally in wetter soils and humidity, throughoutj the state of Michigan. It wants dappled shade or part shade. You will need to provide it with an area that has these conditions or modify your site/add water to help it grow.

Companion Plants: marsh marigold, Michigan lily, cardinal flower, bishop’s cap, moonseed vine, sensitive fern

Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Cinnamon Fern

height: 2-4 feet

soil: medium-wet

sun: dappled shade, partial

plant spacing: 3’

life cycle: perennial

family: Osmundaceae

spore source: Michigan

Ostrich Ferns also have separate fertile fronds that turn dark green. Interrupted Fern has fertile pinnules on some of the fronds. Royal Fern, Interrupted Fern and Cinnamon Fern used to be in the same genus—Osmunda, but Cinnamon Fern has its own genus now—Osmundastrum.