Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich fern - Onocleaceae Northern Hemisphere Boreal forest - dimorphic fern spores produced on different leaves - fertile fronds are shorter and brown when ripe sterile fronds are green and ostrich like - edible fiddleheads early may - maritimes - very hardy - zone 2-9 - herbaceous - very tough - july-august they flatten and fall almost flat on the ground - not invasive - brand new every year and look fantastic - full sun part shade - moist soil