OSTRICH FERN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of ostrich ferns? ›

Ostrich fern is LIKELY UNSAFE when the fern that has not been properly boiled is used as a food. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomachcramps, diarrhea, headaches, and severe food poisoning.

🌿 Choosing the Perfect Indoor Spot

Finding the best spot for your Ostrich Fern indoors is like a game of Goldilocks, but with light. You're aiming for a place that's not too bright, not too dark, but just right. North or east-facing windows are your allies here, bathing your fern in gentle, indirect light.

Ostrich Fern has been used in landscaping but can be a bit aggressive and form large colonies. The fiddleheads are edible, quite tasty sautéed in a little butter (what isn't!).

This fern grows in partial to full shade. Generally, dappled shade is best. Leaves can turn yellow and burn if exposed to full sun. Only if planted in an especially cool, moist location will it tolerate full sun.

Side effects caused by taking male fern can be serious and include breathing difficulty, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, tremors, convulsions, heart and lung failure, eye disorders, muscular weakness, coma, temporary or permanent blindness, and death.

Although some ferns may be carcinogenic (4), the ostrich fern has been considered to be safe to eat either raw or cooked (5-9). One field guide indicates that wild greens may have laxative qualities and recommends boiling them and discarding the first water (8).

Ostrich ferns prefer moist soil. It's best to plant them in rich, organic ground that's somewhat acidic. Keep them evenly damp to almost wet for lush growth. Avoid letting this fern dry out, which leads to browning and drying of the foliage.

Once established, ostrich fern spread can reach roughly one additional square foot (. 09 mˆ²) per growing season. Over time, this spread can crowd, shade, or completely overtake other more diminutive shade plants. This attribute is especially troublesome for those with limited growing space.

COMPANION PLANTS: Wild Ginger, green ash, swamp buttercup, Virginia bluebells, silver maple, hackberry, wild blue phlox, common elderberry, American elm, hairy wood violet and golden Alexander.

It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

What is the ostrich fern used for? ›

The young shoots of ostrich fern, known as fiddleheads, are used to make medicine. People use ostrich fern as a gargle for sore throat. Ostrich fern is sometimes applied directly to the skin for wounds and boils. In foods, fiddleheads are regarded as a seasonal delicacy.

Ostrich ferns can be larval food for some Lepidoptera species including Sthenopis auratus which can be found in the northeast US and southeast Canada.

Ecology. Habitat: Rich woods, often in alluvial or mucky swamp soils. Response to Disturbance: Ferns have roots which are close to the surface, and the upright rhizome on this species produces roots and fronds close to the surface of the soil, making the species highly susceptible to damage from trampling.

Over-watering causes root rot, watch for yellowing and mushy stems. 🌞 Leaf scorch from too much sun, move to bright, indirect light. 🌬️ Improve airflow and humidity to prevent mold, fungus, and pests.

Ostrich Ferns flourish in temperatures between 55°F and 80°F. This range ensures they don't just survive, but thrive.

Symptoms of illness from eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads usually appear within 30 minutes to 12 hours of consumption and typically last for less than 24 hours but may last as long as three (3) days. Symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and headaches.

(New York Botanical Garden, 2007) says that all parts of the plant are toxic. The toxin is thought to be ptaquiloside, a sesquiterpene.

If you want to prevent the ostrich fern from spreading, it is best to plant the fern in a pot in the flower bed or to use a rhizome barrier. The ostrich fern is very easy to care for in the right location and does not need to be pruned or fertilized. The dead fronds can be removed in winter.

The essential fatty acids (EFAs) found in ostrich oil can also support the nervous, cardio, and immune systems. They help to regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation.