Osmunda spectabilis

Osmunda spectabilis

Osmunda spectabilis is a species of fern once thought to be the same as Osmunda regalis, but recent genetic studies have shown it to be a separate species. -Description:...

is a species of fern once thought to be the same as Osmunda regalis, but recent genetic studies have shown it to be a separate species.

Description

Osmunda spectabilis is an easy fern to recognize in the New World flora. Although it closely resembles species O. regalis, O. japonica, and O. lancea

Osmunda lancea

Osmunda lancea is a fern in the genus Osmunda, section Euosmunda. It is found in Japan.It often hybridizes with Osmunda japonica to produce O. × intermedia.-External Links:***...

, only O. spectabilis is found growing naturally in the New World. The fronds of O. spectabilis can exceed 1 meter in length and are bipinnate. The pinnules are attached by a very narrow base. The plant produces separate sterile and fertile fronds. Fertile fronds are similar to the sterile fronds, in the lower and middle portions, but the top-most pinnae are fertile and they are much reduced and brown when mature in the early summer.

Taxonomy

Osmunda spectabilis was formerly considered to be a variety of Osmunda regalis (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis). Another variety, Osmunda spectabilis var. brasiliensis, (formerly Osmunda regalis var. brasiliensis) also exists in tropical regions of Central and South America, but it is only recognized by some authors.


















Osmunda angustifolia

Osmunda angustifolia

Osmunda angustifolia is a fern in the genus Osmunda, section Plenasium. It can be found growing in East Asia.-References:***...

, Osmunda bromeliifolia

Osmunda bromeliifolia

Osmunda bromeliifolia is a fern in the genus Osmunda, section Plenasium.It can be found in the Philippines....

, and all extinct Osmunda

Osmunda

Osmunda is a genus of primarily temperate-zone ferns of family Osmundaceae. Five to ten species have been listed for this genus.The species have completely dimorphic fronds or pinnae , green photosynthetic sterile fronds, and non-photosynthetic spore-bearing fertile pinnae, with large, naked...

species are missing from this cladogram. The classification is based on .

Distribution and Habitat

American Royal fern is most commonly found growing in wetter soils such as those found in wet forests, bogs, and along streams and lakes.