Ostrich Ferns

Posted on in Recent Sightings by Hawk Mountain

Ostrich Fronds Unfurling

New growth Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris), called fiddleheads, have been slowly unfurling in the Native Plant Garden and all over Hawk Mountain. Ostrich ferns' name comes from their large pluming fronds, which resemble ostrich feathers. These ferns can be found in the moist, shady understory of temperate deciduous forest tracts across the northeast and Canada. 

Photo by Laura Berry.