Matteuccia struthiopteris The King is a larger variety than the species. It features a large crown, a large vase-shaped clump of sterile fronds and fertile fronds that grow up to 50% larger than the species (often to as much as 7′ tall). It is distinguished from the species not only by size, but also by having better heat tolerance for growth in the deep South and by being easier to grow. Some experts consider M. struthiopteris ‘The King’ to be synonymous with M. struthiopteris ‘Jumbo’.

A Northern Sunset Fern, it prefers rich, wet to moist soil in part shade to full shade.

Image courtesy of Casaflora