Osmunda claytoniana
Common name: Interupted Fern
Interrupted Fern has the oldest known fossil record of any living fern in the world - it's been around for 200 million years! Usually grows in a spreading-vase form 2-3' tall, but with ideal moisture can reach 5' in height. Wide fronds are "interrupted" in the middle by spore-bearing pinnae (leaflets) which usually fall off in mid summer, hence the common name. Easily grown in medium to wet soils in part to full shade. Prefers moist, rich, humusy, acidic soils, but can adapt to lesser conditions.
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Plant Details
Plant type
Ferns
Soil type
Mesic (Not too Wet Not too Dry), Moist Mesic, Wet
Light exposure
Shade
Bloom period
Spring
Urban environment
Uncompacted Urban Soils
Habitat
Floodplain, Moist Woods, Sandy Soils, Savannas, Woodlands
Growth form
Colonizing / Spreading, Rhizomatous/stoloniferous
Growth rate
Moderate
Flower color
N/A
Fall color
Yellow
Size
- Mature height
- 2 Feet
- Mature width
- 2 Feet
- Max height
- 4 Feet
- Max width
- 3 Feet