Interrupted Fern
Osmunda claytoniana
Also listed as Osmundastrum claytonianum, Claytosmunda claytoniana
Also known as Clayton's Fern
Climate Match for your location
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A native deciduous fern with distinctive fertile leaflets interrupting the sterile fronds mid-blade. It thrives in moist woodland settings and adds delicate, feathery texture to shade gardens.
Why grow it
Interrupted fern distinguishes itself from other native woodland ferns through its interrupted frond pattern, where fertile leaflets cluster mid-blade rather than occupying separate fronds or the frond margins. This makes it visually distinctive in shade gardens while requiring similar moisture and woodland soil conditions as ostrich fern or cinnamon fern. It establishes more slowly than some fern species but offers reliable, fine-textured foliage once established in appropriate conditions.
Watch out for
This species prefers consistent moisture and struggles in dry shade, so siting matters more than many ferns. Early season emergence means new growth can occasionally sustain damage from late frosts in marginal climates, though established plants recover readily. Division is possible but can be slow; patience during establishment typically yields better results than aggressive manipulation.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Osmundaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native deciduous fern with distinctive fertile leaflets interrupting the sterile fronds mid-blade. It thrives in moist woodland settings and adds delicate, feathery texture to shade gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Interrupted Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Interrupted fern distinguishes itself from other native woodland ferns through its interrupted frond pattern, where fertile leaflets cluster mid-blade rather than occupying separate fronds or the frond margins. This makes it visually distinctive in shade gardens while requiring similar moisture and woodland soil conditions as ostrich fern or cinnamon fern. It establishes more slowly than some fern species but offers reliable, fine-textured foliage once established in appropriate conditions.
Watch out for
This species prefers consistent moisture and struggles in dry shade, so siting matters more than many ferns. Early season emergence means new growth can occasionally sustain damage from late frosts in marginal climates, though established plants recover readily. Division is possible but can be slow; patience during establishment typically yields better results than aggressive manipulation.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Osmundaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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