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Cinnamon Fern

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Other common name(s):

Family:

Osmundaceae (Royal Fern Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Fern

Height

2
to
3
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Acid, Poor Drainage, Mud

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

No Bloom

Bloom Season

No Bloom

Seasonal Interest

Unknown

Wildlife Benefit

Unknown

Maintenance

Cut off dead fronds in late winter if desired. Can grow in sun if in standing water; otherwise, it must have moist soil and semi-shade. Propagation: Root division, Spores.

Comments

Fertile fronds appear first as silvery, furry fiddleheads, ultimately becoming stiff, erect, and covered with specialized pinnae, which turn their upper portions into a thick spike of fruit dots – turning from green to chocolate brown. Sterile fronds bend outwards forming a vase-shaped circle enclosing the cinnamon fronds. Superficial roots vulnerable to drying out in summer. Soil stabilization. Provides nesting material for birds.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Osmunda cinnamomea

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 379, 3) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=1012094#null, 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=16552&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OSCI

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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