Cinnamon Fern

Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum is commonly known as cinnamon fern. It is native to North and South America, as well as Eastern Asia. It is found growing in swamps,bogs and moist woodlands. It is a deciduous herbaceous fern with separate fertile and sterile fronds. Those bearing spores are erect ,shorter and become cinnamon colored ,which gives the fern its name. They do not actually produce cinnamon. You are forgiven for thinking so. Economically important since they are harvested as ‘osmunda fiber’ and used for propagating orchids. The fuzzy tufts of the leaf are used by hummingbirds to line their nests.(image source)