Osmunda cinnamomea
Cinnamon Fern
General
Cinnamon fern is a tall fern that grows well in wet and shady areas, especially where there are organic (peat) soils. It has both large leafy blades (sterile fronds) and cinnamon-brown spikes (fertile fronds).
Plant Description
Grows in dense, circular clumps. Fiddleheads are covered with cinnamon-colored wool which persists as the fronds unfurl and is lost as the plant matures. The pinnatifid pinnae of the sterile fronds give them a classic fern shape. The sterile fronds can grow as tall as 6 ft and are typically 6-12 in wide. The pinnae of the fertile fronds are reduced into small clumps around the stem. The fertile fronds appear first and are bright-green, hairy spikes that turn cinnamon-brown as they mature.
Height (ft)
2-6'
Soil moisture
Medium to Wet
Soil types
Organic soils
Wetland indicator
FACW
Shade tolerance
Tolerant, Partial to Full Shade
Anaerobic tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Salinity tolerance
Low
Range
Eastern and Central United States, west to Eastern Texas and Oklahoma.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, this plant's white base has been eaten by Abnaki. A decoction of the roots has been used by the Cherokee for chills and rheumatism. This species has also been used as a snake bite remedy, as a spring tonic, and chopped and added to cow feed for difficult births of their calves.