Here are a few other edible fiddle ferns to consider:
- Cinnamon Ferns: similar to ostrich ferns, but identifiable by their wooly covering and a flattened side instead of a groove. They are edible, but is is advised to cook them thoroughly and limit quantity due to possible side effects of nausea and dizziness.
- Royal Ferns: unique among edible fern varieties, with their stark pink stems. The fiddleheads are covered in brownish hairs.
Medicinal use of Cinnamon Fern
A decoction of the root has been rubbed into affected joints as a treatment for rheumatism. The root has been chewed, a small portion swallowed and the remainder applied to a snakebite. The following reports do not state which part of the plant is being used, though it is most likely that the root is being referred to.
Habitat of the herb
Sandy or alluvial soils in swamps low woods and thickets in Eastern N. America.
Edible parts of Cinnamon Fern
The young unexpanded fronds are eaten as a nibble or cooked in soups. The taste is said to resemble asparagus. The young shoots are seen as a "spring tonic" to cleanse the body with fresh green food after a long winter eating mainly stored foods. The latent buds can be eaten in early spring, they rival chestnuts in size and flavour.
Propagation of the herb
Spores - they very quickly lose their viability (within 3 days) and are best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot.
Cultivation of Cinnamon Fern
Sandy or alluvial soils in swamps low woods and thickets in Eastern N. America.
Known hazards of Osmunda cinnamomea
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex.
Description & Overview
Regarded as a living fossil, Cinnamon Fern makes a great border in a shady spot, like on the north side of a foundation. The light-colored leaves contrast beautifully with the cinnamon-colored stalks of the fertile spikes and the shade of the environment.
Core Characteristics
Foliage: Loose rosette of soft green fronds, sterile leaves are pinnatifid and can have 12-25 pairs of leaflets. Fertile leaves have the same structure; however, spores cover the upright leaflets
Cinnamon Fern Growth, Hardiness & Climate
The central fertile fronds of cinnamon fern are what give the plant its name, and appear from May-June.
How to Plant Cinnamon Fern In Ponds
Cinnamon fern fiddleheads will begin to emerge shortly after the last spring frost. Danny Schissler / CC BY-SA
How to Care For Cinnamon Fern
As stated above, provide cinnamon fern with at least partial shade and damp, acidic to neutral soil and it will be happy. Not much care is needed, though it prefers its feet wet so if there’s a dry spell or you live in a hot area you will likely need to water cinnamon fern to keep the soil damp.
How to Winter Cinnamon Fern
In southern regions, cinnamon fern is an evergreen plant so long as frost doesn’t occur and it has regular access to water. In more northern climes, like the American Midwest or Canada, cinnamon fern is a deciduous plant and will naturally die down once the first frost hits.
Is Cinnamon Fern Toxic, Poisonous or Invasive?
As with any plant, cinnamon fern should only be grown inside of its native range. Outside of the US and Canada, it is technically invasive, though it’s not known to overtake areas. For a list of ferns native to the UK, check out this guide. For a list of ferns native to the US organized by region, click here.
Is Cinnamon Fern Edible? Will Fish Eat it?
Cinnamon fern is edible, with wildlife and, historically, Native Americans eating the tender fiddleheads in the spring. Your fish are not likely to eat it as it’ll be planted in soil, but if you do plant it in very shallow water where smaller fish might be able to swim up to it, they may nibble the roots. This should not harm them or the plant.
Where to Buy Cinnamon Fern & Seeds? (UK & US)
Cinnamon fern is easily obtained in North America from a variety of plant nurseries as well as online outlets. Elsewhere in the world, you’ll likely have to order it online (but, remember, always seek out plants that are native to your region!).
Cinnamon Fern Plant Info
Cinnamon ferns ( Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) produce two distinctly different types of fronds. Fertile, plume-like, cinnamon colored fronds grow at the center of the plant, giving way to the plant’s name. They are surrounded by larger, green, sterile fronds. The contrast between the two results in an appealing, multi-dimensional plant.
When to Plant Cinnamon Ferns
You should plant cinnamon ferns in spring after the last expected frost of the season. The spacing depends upon their use in the garden. To add a tropical appeal to stream banks and swampy areas, plant them at 6 foot (2 m.) intervals.
How to Grow a Cinnamon Fern
Growing cinnamon ferns in the garden can add unique interest to the area. For best results, cinnamon ferns thrive in deep shade or filtered sunlight. They can tolerate more sun when grown in wet soil.
What Are Fiddlehead Ferns?
Strictly speaking, a “fiddlehead fern” is not a type of fern but the earliest stage in fern growth. As ferns mature, new fronds unroll and grow upward: the “fiddleheads” are fronds that have yet to unfurl and are still tightly wound and close to the ground.
How to Identify and Harvest Edible Ferns
The ostrich fern grows mainly in the northern parts of the United States and Canada; however, it is also found in Eurasia and East Asia. In early spring, they appear along streams and riverbanks or in hardwood forests, preferring shady areas.
How to Prepare Fiddleheads
Until you are ready to cook them, fiddleheads should be refrigerated to slow down ripening and uncurling. To maximize shelf life, loosely wrap unwashed fiddleheads in a paper towel and refrigerate them in a sealed plastic bag.
Final Thoughts
Edible ferns can give you a taste of spring, but only certain species. The ostrich fern is the safest species to eat, but the lady fern and the bracken fern can also be eaten if prepared properly. Regardless of species, you should only consume ferns in the “fiddlehead” stage, when the plant is still young.
What Are Fiddleheads?
Before we go any further, let’s start with identifying edible ferns. In case you didn’t know, fiddleheads are young fern fronds. During their furled stage, they appear as shoots, poking up through the spring soil. More often than not, this furled stage only lasts a few days, leaving a very small harvesting window.
Identifying Edible Fiddleheads
Knowing how to identify fern varieties is important for safety reasons, as well as taste reasons. You wouldn’t want to pick a toxic fiddlehead. At the same time, picking one with the wrong flavor profile could lead to a disappointing meal.
Skip the Hunt and Still Enjoy This Foraging Favorite
Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable foraging fiddleheads on your own, or want to experience this favorite spring green without the hunt you can easily find them in farmer’s markets and nicer supermarkets each spring. They never last long, so grab them when you see them!
Growing Ferns at Home
Foraging isn’t for everyone. Luckily, growing ferns in your own backyard is not a difficult task. You probably have a couple already – whether indoors or in your shade garden.
Harvesting Ferns
Unfortunately, for those growing ferns to eat them, you’ll need to wait for them to become established before you can begin harvesting. This could take a few years. Luckily, they make great ornamental plants in the meantime.
Cleaning And Storing Fiddleheads
Now that you’ve got your fiddleheads, it’s time to clean them and store them for use in the kitchen.
Uses For Fiddleheads
There are several uses for fiddlehead ferns. They’re extremely tasty and quite nutritious. They’re high in antioxidants, iron, potassium, and even omega-3 fatty acids. Their rich and interesting flavors add depth to meals and their uniqueness allows you to experiment in the kitchen.
