ostrich fern

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of ostrich fern

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 • Apr. 20, 2023

They are also great sauteed in a pan with fiddleheads, the unopened foliage of the ostrich fern, whose season is approaching.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2023

Anyone who has grown the ostrich fern knows that it is a mover, inclined to colonize.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2023

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 • Jul. 8, 2015

Here may also be mentioned, as having similar habit, artichokes, peppermint, spearmint, barberry, Indian hemp, bindweed, toadflax, matrimony vine, bugle-weed, ostrich fern, eagle fern, sensitive fern, coltsfoot, St. John'swort, sorrel, great willow-herb, and many more.

From Seed Dispersal by Beal, W. J. (William James)