How to Identify Ostrich Fern (aka, Fiddleheads)
Looking to forage ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris)? Here’s what to look out for.
Fiddleheads are slightly sweet – some say they are a cross between asparagus, green beans, and broccoli.
So what are you looking for? A clean, deep green stem with no fuzz. The groove down the center of the stem is a “V” and very deep, like a stalk of celery.
Ostrich fern’s fertile fronds look like feathers and usually you will see at least one or two still standing from last season on a few crowns.
Ostrich ferns have papery tissue on the outside, and it’s not fuzzy.
Here is a picture of crown just popping and another already too far gone to eat, but with fertile fronds for reference.
And some more photos, because who doesn’t like a good fiddlehead glamour shot?
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About the author : Kate
Mom of two young boys, writer/editor at a non-profit, knitter, dyer, gardener. I have a chocolate lab and two black cats.
