SafePlants

Osmunda regalis: The Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis, commonly known as the Royal Fern, is a striking deciduous fern admired for its size and elegant foliage.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Osmunda regalis
• Common Names: Royal Fern, Old World Royal Fern, Flowering Fern, Regal Fern, Ditch Fern, Locust Fern, Snake Fern
• Family: Osmundaceae (Royal Fern Family)
• Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
• Also found in non-tropical North America and the British Isles.
• Grows in woodland bogs, on the banks of streams, in wet meadows, along lakeshores, and in swampy woods.

Ecological Role

• In certain bog environments, the Royal Fern can be considered a weed, competing with native species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Deciduous fern, meaning it sheds its leaves annually.
• Can grow to a height of 2 meters (6ft) or more. Some sources claim it can reach up to 10 feet in moist, shady places.
• Forms a distinct clump of tall, arching fronds.
• Leaves are bright green and divided.
• Fronds are twice-pinnate, meaning the leaflets are further divided.
• Has separate fertile (upright) and sterile (spreading) fronds.
• Leaflets are distinctively oval shaped.
• In summer, fertile fronds appear rust-colored.
• Some varieties have purple stems and stipes, with distinctive purple croziers in spring.

Quirky Facts

• The spore-producing inflorescence resembles groups of flowers, giving it the name "Flowering Fern."
• Up close, the Royal Fern's leaves resemble those of a member of the pea family or a small locust tree.
• This plant has existed largely unchanged for approximately 180 million years.