any of a genus (Osmunda, family Osmundaceae) of ferns having specialized fronds or portions of fronds bearing dense masses of spore cases
See osmunda in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(ŏz-mŭnˈdə) also os·mund(ŏzˈmənd)
noun
Any of several ferns of the genus Osmunda, having erect, bipinnately compound fronds and deeply contracted fertile pinnules. The fibrous roots are sometimes used as a potting medium for cultivated plants, and the young crosiers are used as food.