East Central Texas Plains, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Fern
Height
2
to
3
ft.
Spread
0.5
to
1
ft.
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Acid, Poor Drainage, Mud
Light Requirement
Part Shade, Shade
Water Requirement
High
Native Habitat
Wetland or Riparian
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
No Bloom
Bloom Season
No Bloom
Seasonal Interest
Unknown
Wildlife Benefit
Unknown
Maintenance
Cut off dead fronds in late winter if desired. Can grow in sun if in standing water; otherwise, it must have moist soil and semi-shade. Propagation: Root division, Spores.
Comments
Fertile fronds appear first as silvery, furry fiddleheads, ultimately becoming stiff, erect, and covered with specialized pinnae, which turn their upper portions into a thick spike of fruit dots – turning from green to chocolate brown. Sterile fronds bend outwards forming a vase-shaped circle enclosing the cinnamon fronds. Superficial roots vulnerable to drying out in summer. Soil stabilization. Provides nesting material for birds.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Osmunda cinnamomea
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 379, 3) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=1012094#null, 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=16552&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OSCI
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