This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00280(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Fiddlehead Fern |
| Scientific name | Matteuccia struthiopteris |
| Family / Genus | Onocleaceae / — |
| Produce category | Other |
| Produce subcategory | Fern |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4700 |
| PLU — organic | 94700 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_2989 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 4.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) | 85% | The most commercially significant fiddlehead. Smooth, tender, with a nutty, asparagus-like flavor. Classic tightly coiled shape. Requires blanching before cooking to remove a mild toxin. |
| Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) | 8% | Less common commercially than Ostrich Fern. Characterized by a cinnamon-brown fuzz that must be thoroughly rubbed off before cooking. Slightly different texture and flavor, often less tender. |
| Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) | 5% | Occasionally harvested for commercial sale. Larger and less tightly coiled than Ostrich Fern fiddleheads. Can sometimes have a slightly bitter taste, which is reduced by proper cooking. |
| Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) | 2% | Least common of the commercially harvested fiddleheads. Smaller and more delicate than Ostrich Fern. Requires careful handling and preparation. |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 30.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 5 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | null ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Fiddlehead ferns are non-climacteric and produce very little ethylene. They are not highly sensitive to ethylene.
Mixed-load compatibility
Group 1 (non-ethylene producing, non-ethylene sensitive, high humidity)
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Stable to slightly increasing, driven by specialty restaurants and adventurous home cooks during its short seasonal availability.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.8 |
| Income elasticity | 1.2 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.5 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern) | 95% |
| Other wild varieties | 5% |
Pack sizes
- 5 lb case
- 10 lb case
- 6 oz clamshell
- 8 oz clamshell
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.