ostrich fern

noun

1. a tall North American fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, with large mature leaves that resemble ostrich plumes, a popular landscaping plant whose curled new leaves, called fiddleheads, are eaten as a vegetable.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostrich fern¹

First recorded in 1820–25

Example Sentences

Then he thought again, offering another suggestion: Try planting it with ostrich fern and giant Solomon’s seal, which hail from the same kind of spots.

From Seattle Times

Soreng pointed out beeches, pawpaw trees and silver maples, and a patch where spring brings a carpet of ostrich ferns.

From Washington Post

She moves quickly through the chest-high ostrich ferns, frilly leaves heavy with rain, as the orange saw sputters and then chokes.

From The Verge

If you are looking to cover large areas, you could plant ostrich fern or the cinnamon fern, which is less of a bully.

From Washington Post

The good news is that the Mid-Atlantic region is a fern nirvana in that we can grow ferns from more northern and southern regions — for example, the cold-loving ostrich fern or the Southern maidenhair.

From Washington Post