Osmunda adiantifolia: Pineland Fern

Osmunda adiantifolia, the Pineland Fern or Pine Fern, is a tropical to subtropical fern native to the Americas. It forms a large, erect clump of simply pinnate, sterile fronds that are 3-5 feet tall, with distinct, separate, fertile fronds that are contracted and brown, bearing the sporangia. The sterile pinnae are widely spaced, giving an open, airy look. It grows in wet pine flatwoods and savannas.

Plant Profile

This fern requires a warm, humid climate (USDA 9+), full sun to part shade, and consistently wet, acidic soil. It is a striking plant for bog gardens, pond margins, and wetland restorations in frost-free areas. The dimorphic fronds (sterile vs fertile) are a hallmark of the royal fern family. It can form large colonies in ideal conditions.