Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

FERN: Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern)

Tried and True Native Plant Selection for the Mid-Atlantic

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Whether on the woodland floor or coming through shade-tolerant ornamentals, Cinnamon Fern fronds are beautiful when they unfurl in spring and then turn vibrant shades of gold and orange in fall. Fossil records date back 75-180 million years. This versatile, easy to grow native is still found frequently to commonly throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Learn more about Osmundastrum cinnamomeum.

Wooly covered fiddleheads of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Unfurling frond of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
On the underside of a Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern ) frond at the junction of the blade midrib and pinnae are persistent tufts of whitish to brownish hair.
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern ) uncoiling uncoiling sterile fiddleheads surround developing fertile fronds in April.
Bead-like clusters of sporangia on a fertile frond of native Osmundastrum cinnamomeum.
In mid-May, having released its spores, this fertile frond of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum will wither.
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern ) in May at the Native Plant Demonstration Garden, Potomac Overlook Regional Park.
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern ) in June at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Colors of fall foliage in Cinnamon Fern. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-10-11, Longwood Gardens.

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