"The Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis, is a tall, deciduous fern which usually occurs on moist bluffs and ledges and along streams (sometimes growing in the water). The broad fronds have large, well-separated pinnae (leaflets) which give this fern an almost pea-family appearance. Spores are located in brown, tassel-like, fertile clusters at the tips of the fronds, thus giving rise to the additional common name of flowering fern for this plant. It also grows well in shaded borders, woodland gardens, wild gardens or native plant gardens."