Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Prince Edward I., Puerto Rico, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam
Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Osmundaceae
- Genus:
- Osmundastrum
- Species:
- Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- USDA Symbol:
- OSCI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Euplexia benesimilis, Melanchra assimilis, Olethreutes osmundana, osmunda borer moth (Papaipema speciosissima)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, brown
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, acidic, moisture-retentive soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and swampy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Fern propagation is via spores, not seeds. Spores require moist, humid conditions and germinate best on sterile media; green spores have short viability.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: This protocol was established with spores collected in National Capital Parks-East, Washington, D.C. The plant is generally found in swamps, streambanks, and moist, acidic soil.
Source: npn.rngr.net