Ostrich Fern 'Pensylvanica'

Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica is the North American variety of ostrich fern, forming bold clumps of bright green, arching sterile fronds. Separate fertile fronds rise from the clump, turn brown as they mature, and may persist into winter. In Wisconsin it grows in wet forests and deep, mucky soils; Kew records the name under Onoclea pensylvanica, while regional floras retain the variety within Matteuccia struthiopteris. [Wisconsin Herbarium](https://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity-old/herbarium/pteridophytes/matstr01.htm) and [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:154738-2) document these taxonomic treatments. ## Maintenance Give it partial to full shade and soil that stays consistently moist. Water during dry spells, especially while new roots establish. Allow room for the spreading rhizomes, or divide the clump when it exceeds the space available. Leave the upright fertile fronds for winter interest if desired, then remove old fronds before fresh growth emerges.