It's essential to know the name so as to know what conditions are required. Not all ferns like acid conditions, many grow in limestone based soil or on limestone or dolostone rock. Some like to be dry, not wet. Some need part sun, some need shade. Most need to grow in soil, not in peat. Finally, a fern found outdoors in a temperate climate will likely not do well as an indoor plant. Try potting in soil, water less (brown fiddlehead sounds like rot) and place in a shady part of your yard.

Hi, I can't seem to see any spore development on any of the fronds. This was the most mature of all of them so I took a pic of the underside anyhow, hoping it will assist in the id. The curliness reminds me of parsley. Thanks Tracy

Rust is quite unusual on ferns. More than likely what you are looking at is reproductive spore. google fern spore pictures and look at the varieties.

The Ostrich Fern is the only native fern listed as edible. (Bracken Fern was formerly eaten, but was found to be carcinogenic) It is a Northern fern species and is rarely found south of the Ohio River. It can be grown in our Southern climate, in proper soil conditions and location, but does not attain the robust stature found in the Northern states. I have observed colonies in several Michigan gardens where the fronds stood erect about 5 ft., here they are mostly 2-3 ft. and sometimes arch over to touch the ground. The croziers or fiddleheads are rather dry and tasteless and are usually cooked and/or served in a cream or butter sauce, with plenty of salt and pepper.(Some people soak them in brine for a period of time, before cooking). They must be harvested at the right time, as they become bitter with age. They are also a pain to clean, as all of the dry leafy scale must be removed, even within the curled portion of the crozier. For me, consuming them, after preparing them in all of that butterfat and salt, would be out of the question! Rb