Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
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 2-4 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 ,throughout 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.
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
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 2-4 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 ,throughout 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.
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
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 2-4 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 ,throughout 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.
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
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.
