| Common Name: |
Sensitive Fern |
| Scientific Name: |
Onoclea sensibilis |
| Other Name(s): |
Aka Bead fern, Sympathy fern, Onoclea |
| Category: |
Fern |
| Habit: |
Deciduous |
| Flower Description: |
Non-flowering |
| Foliage Description: |
Broad, almost triangular fronds; sterile fronds are deeply pinnatified to bipinnatified, and thin texture; most pinnae are nearly opposite; rachis is smooth, pale tan or yellow; fronds turns yellow or russet in fall; fertile fronds emerge in late summer, are woody with beadlike segments, brown and persist into winter; stipes are long (one half to two thirds of frond), network veined; dimorphic |
| Height of Plant: |
1-4 ft. |
| Spread of Plant: |
1/2-1 1/2 ft. |
| Hardiness: |
USDA Zones 3 - 8b |
| Light Requirements: |
Partial shade to Full Shade |
| Water Usage: |
Medium to wet |
| Soil Type: |
Naturally occurs in marshes, ditches and swamps |
| Native Range: |
Eastern North America |
| Propagation: |
Spreads by both creeping rhizomes and spores |
| Maintenance: |
Medium |
| Other Information: |
Commonly called sensitive fern because the green vegetative fronds are sensitive to and suffer almost immediate damage from the first fall frost. Also sensitive to drought. |
| Photographer: |
Jon Wooten |
| Location: |
Native Plant Garden |