Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

royal fern

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis

Family:

Osmundaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

fern

Size:

3-4 ft tall by to 3 ft wide.  Does not spread vegetatively.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

orange

Phenology:

Winter dormant.

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Lacy specimen plant in wet settings. Useful in fern gardens or beside a shady water feature. Useful around drainage ponds.

Considerations:

Needs periodic removal of old fronds.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Spreads rarely from spores (Osorio 2001). Does not spread vegetatively.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Native Habitats:

Dome swamp, cutthroat seep. Wet woods, usually with acid soil. Shallow swamps, bogs, shallow ponds, stream banks, hydric seep slopes.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: