Royal fern produces dense clumps of bright green fronds, some as tall as 5 feet. This fern is easy to recognize, with individual leaflets, or pinnules, up to 2 inches long. The brown or rust-colored sporangia (equivalent to seed), is produced at the tips, or tassel-like at the top of fertile ferns. The fibrous root stock is the source of osmunda fiber used in potting orchids. Royal fern has a wide range, native to eastern North America and Eurasia.