Matteuccia struthiopteris is known as the the ostrich fern or shuttlecock fern. It is a tall crown and colony-forming fern, occurring in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in eastern and northern Europe.
It is a real stunner in the garden, due to its size and stately appearance. Plant this in places where it remains relatively shaded and moist, where it can provide a visual focal point, either with a water feature, statuary, or next to a springhouse or shaded trellace.
The Ostrich fern, along with Cinnamon fern, are the most commonly harvested fiddleheads in the northeast. Word has it that hese two large-sized native ferns yield the most delicious fiddleheads in the vernal forest. They are reputed to taste a bit like asparagus, but sweeter and a little more earthy.
