ostrich fern

2 definitions found

ostrich fern - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  ostrich \os"trich\ ([o^]s"trich), n. [OE. ostriche, ostrice, OF.
     ostruche, ostruce, F. autruche, L. avis struthio; avis bird +
     struthio ostrich, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? bird, sparrow. Cf.
     Aviary, Struthious.] [Formerly written also estrich.]
     (Zool.)
     A large bird of the genus Struthio, of which Struthio camelus
      of Africa is the best known species. It has long and
     very strong legs, adapted for rapid running; only two toes; a
     long neck, nearly bare of feathers; and short wings incapable
     of flight. The adult male is about eight feet high.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The South African ostrich (Struthio australis) and
           the Asiatic ostrich are considered distinct species by
           some authors. Ostriches are now domesticated in South
           Africa in large numbers for the sake of their plumes.
           The body of the male is covered with elegant black
           plumose feathers, while the wings and tail furnish the
           most valuable white plumes.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Ostrich farm, a farm on which ostriches are bred for the
        sake of their feathers, oil, eggs, etc.
  
     Ostrich farming, the occupation of breeding ostriches for
        the sake of their feathers, etc.
  
     Ostrich fern (Bot.) a kind of fern (Onoclea  Struthiopteris
        ), the tall fronds of which grow in a
        circle from the rootstock. It is found in alluvial soil in
        Europe and North America.
        [1913 Webster]

ostrich fern - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ostrich fern
      n 1: tall fern of northern temperate regions having graceful
           arched fronds and sporophylls resembling ostrich plumes
           [syn: ostrich fern, shuttlecock fern, fiddlehead,
           Matteuccia struthiopteris, Pteretis struthiopteris,
           Onoclea struthiopteris]