Interrupted Fern

Fruiting bodies are produced on the lower portion of the fronds in between the pinnae (leaf blades), giving this distinctive fern its name. In spring, the newly emerging silvery-white "fiddleheads" are striking in appearance. Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana) does best in moderately damp acid soils, but adapts well to almost any good garden soil in part to full shade. Hardy to Zones 3 - 7.