• Fiddleheads: emerges early spring, covered in light brownish-colored wool that is quickly lost
• Fronds: once compound, lance-shaped in outline, up to 40 inches long and 10 inches across, widest below middle, gradually tapering at tip, leaflets have deep lobes, rounded to slightly pointed, forked lateral veins on underside, grow in circular clump with fertile spike in the middle
• Spores: borne on spike-like fertile leaves, nearly as tall as sterile leaves, center of leaf clump, fertile leaves hairy and composed of very small bead-like capsules, initially green but turn cinnamon-colored with maturity
• Fruiting season: Spring
• Height: 24-40 inches
• Habitat: marshes, wet woods, bogs, swamps