large deeply rooted fern of worldwide distribution with upright bipinnate compound tufted fronds
O. spectabilis, Filix Florida, Flowering Fern, Osmund-royal. This plant was once thought to possess astringent and emmenagogue virtues.
Royal fern. The frond tops and the pith of the root stock were formerly used as astringents and vulneraries, and the root stock was employed especially as a teniafuge.