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

Nomenclature

Common Name:

cinnamon fern

Synonym(s):

Osmunda cinnamomea

Genus species:

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Family:

Osmundaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

fern

Size:

3-4 ft ft tall by as broad as tall ft wide.  Does not spread.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

orange

Phenology:

Deciduous to evergreen. Fertile fronds appear in spring and again in the fall.

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Useful as a specimen in moist areas and in rain gardens or bioswales. Its urn shape and orange spore producing fertile leaves make this fern attractive as an individual specimen in areas that have adequate moisture. Large size and grace are its principal appeal. Evergreen in south-central FL. Deciduous in north FL.

Considerations:

Availability:

Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

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:

This species typically grows on seepage edges of swamps and in the upper reaches of baygalls (bay swamps). It is not found in long-term standing water though it grows well on rotten logs and hummocks in swamps. It is an indicator of seepage conditions.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Called cinnamon fern because of the color of its fertile fronds. In Florida it sends up its fertile fronds in the spring and fall; farther north in its large range, the fertile fronds only emerge in the spring.