Plant Details

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich fern

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Common names

45 names · 28 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Fiddle Fern[1]
  • Ostrich fern[1]
  • shuttlecock fern[1]
Other languages (27)
Dutch
  • Bekervaren
  • Europese struisvaren
  • Struisvaren[1]
French
  • Fougère allemande[1]
  • Fougère autruche
  • Fougère à plumes d'autruche[1]
+7 more namesShow fewer names
  • Matteuccia struthioptéride[1]
  • Matteuccia struthioptéris[1]
  • Matteuccie[1]
  • matteuccie fougère-à-l'autruche[1]
  • Onoclée fougère-d'Allemagne[1]
  • Onoclée fougère-à-l'autruche[1]
  • Onoclée plume-d'autruche[1]
Belarusian
  • Страуснік звычайны[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • pérovník pštrosí[1]
Danish
  • Strudsvinge[1]
Estonian
  • harilik laanesõnajalg[1]
Finnish
  • kotkansiipi[1]
German
  • Straußenfarn[1]
  • Straußfarn[1]
Hungarian
  • európai struccpáfrány[1]
Italian
  • Felce penna di struzzo[1]
Japanese
  • クサソテツ[1]
  • 草蘇鉄[1]
Korean
  • 청나래고사리[1]
Lithuanian
  • Paupinis jonpapartis[1]
Mi Kmaq
  • apiàjijgewatp[1]
Norwegian
  • strutseving[1]
Ojibwe
  • Gichi-aniibiish[1]
Passamaquoddy
Polish
  • Pióropusznik strusi[1]
Russian
  • Страусник обыкновенный[1]
  • Страусопёр германский[1]
  • Страусопёр обыкновенный[1]
Slovak
  • perovník pštrosí[1]
Slovenian
  • navadna peruša[1]
Spanish
  • helecho avestruz[1]
Swedish
  • Strutbräken[1]
Turkish
  • Şah Eğreltisi[1]
Ukrainian
  • Страусове перо звичайне[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Matteuccia struthiopteris — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • ostrich fern — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Onoclée plume-d'autruche — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • matteuccie fougère-à-l'autruche — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Straußenfarn — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Straußfarn — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • kotkansiipi — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • クサソテツ — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • 草蘇鉄 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • helecho avestruz — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Struisvaren — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • pérovník pštrosí — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Strutbräken — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Strudsvinge — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Страусник обыкновенный — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Fiddle Fern — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • strutseving — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Pióropusznik strusi — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Paupinis jonpapartis — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Страусопёр германский — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Onoclée fougère-à-l'autruche — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Страусопёр обыкновенный — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Gichi-aniibiish — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • 荚果蕨 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • shuttlecock fern — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • harilik laanesõnajalg — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • 청나래고사리 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Страусове перо звичайне — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Страуснік звычайны — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Onoclée fougère-d'Allemagne — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • európai struccpáfrány — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • navadna peruša — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • perovník pštrosí — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Felce penna di struzzo — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Matteuccia struthioptéride — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Matteuccia struthioptéris — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Fougère à plumes d'autruche — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Matteuccie — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Fougère allemande — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • apiàjijgewatp — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • mahsus — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • 莢果蕨 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.
  • Şah Eğreltisi — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 82574; Matteuccia struthiopteris.

General information

Scientific name: Matteuccia struthiopteris
Accepted name (Kew): Onoclea struthiopteris View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Aspleniaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Matteuccia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Ostrich fern
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.91–1.52 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [4]
Spread: 0.61–1.22 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [4]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [4]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [4]
Growth habit: Arching, Erect, Vase

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [4]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [4]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [4]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [4]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [4]
pH:
Acidic Neutral
Light:
Dappled Sunlight, Deep shade, Partial Shade
Sources [4]

Uses

Functions:
Ground cover

Description

Matteuccia struthiopteris is a perennial fern whose young, coiled fronds are known as ostrich-fern fiddleheads. They are used as food after appropriate preparation and thorough cooking. Raw or undercooked fiddleheads have been associated with foodborne illness outbreaks and should not be recommended for raw consumption.

This advice concerns identified ostrich fern only. Other fern species are not covered. Follow the linked Health Canada preparation guidance.

Sources [2] [3] [1]

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/04
Harvest ends: 30/04

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyDescriptionBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod., name ID 3150546, row 626769; Onoclea struthiopteris (L.) Roth, name ID 3176257, row 626775
    • Description: wcvp_names.csv; name, author, status, accepted_plant_name_id and hybrid_formula columns; see per-proposal row records where provided
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 896656; name ID 3189760; Matteuccia Tod.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Onoclea struthiopteris (Fiddlehead Fern, Ostrich-Feather Fern, Ostrich Fern, Shuttlecock Fern) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Description
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Whole Plant Traits; Edibility; Poison Symptoms and Toxic Principle, where applicable

    Source checked on .

  3. Health Canada Food safety tips for fiddleheads
    Supports: Description
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Introduction; Health risks; Cooking

    Source checked on .

  4. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Onoclea struthiopteris — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .