Plants of the UNF Campus
Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon fern
Family Osmundaceae
Description:
Ten species of Osmunda
are native to North America, Europe
and Asia. The fiddleheads (curled new leaves)
of some species are used for food. Cinnamon fern is native to the eastern U.S. and is
found in moist sites. Spores are borne on specialized leaves that are held
upright among the arching sterile fronds. Leaflets on the specialized fertile
leaves are short and twisted so these fronds do not look like leaves. Plants
are dormant through winter and leaves re-emerge in early spring. The dried
fibrous root system of North American species was once used for growing
orchids.
Location:
See plants in moist natural areas on campus such as the sides of the Lake Oneida boardwalk.
Size:
Herbaceous plant with leaves to about two or three feet tall, with the potential of five feet tall.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to full shade
Water: requires moist soil, tolerates standing water
Soil: moisture is essential, no other special requirements
This native fern is easy to grow in northeast Florida in a moist, shady site.
Osmunda cinnamomea
Cinnamon fern
Osmundaceae
Ten species of Osmunda
are native to North America, Europe
and Asia. The fiddleheads (curled new leaves)
of some species are used for food. Cinnamon fern is native to the eastern U.S. and is
found in moist sites. Spores are borne on specialized leaves that are held
upright among the arching sterile fronds. Leaflets on the specialized fertile
leaves are short and twisted so these fronds do not look like leaves. Plants
are dormant through winter and leaves re-emerge in early spring. The dried
fibrous root system of North American species was once used for growing
orchids.
Osmunda_cinnamomea.jpg
See plants in moist natural areas on campus such as the sides of the Lake Oneida boardwalk.
Herbaceous plant with leaves to about two or three feet tall, with the potential of five feet tall.
full sun to full shade
requires moist soil, tolerates standing water
moisture is essential, no other special requirements
This native fern is easy to grow in northeast Florida in a moist, shady site.