The Ostrich Fern is the only native fern listed as edible.
(Bracken Fern was formerly eaten, but was found to be carcinogenic) It is a Northern fern species and is rarely found south of the Ohio River. It can be grown in our Southern climate, in proper soil conditions and location, but does not attain the robust stature found in the Northern states. I have observed colonies in several Michigan gardens where the fronds stood erect about 5 ft., here they are mostly 2-3 ft. and sometimes arch over to touch the ground. The croziers or fiddleheads are rather dry and tasteless and are usually cooked and/or served in a cream or butter sauce, with plenty of salt and pepper.(Some people soak them in brine for a period of time, before cooking). They must be harvested at the right time, as they become bitter with age. They are also a pain to clean, as all of the dry leafy scale must be removed, even within the curled portion of the crozier.
For me, consuming them, after preparing them in all of that butterfat and salt, would be out of the question!
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