Onoclea sensibilis

type

IMAGE

Sensitive Fern

fern

species

size(ft)

1-2

cut

2

decid.

deciduous

garden

invasive

ID tips

Coarse fronds not cut entirely to rachis; pinna margins scalloped, not toothed

(Woodwardia areolata sterile fronds similar, but pinna margins toothed not scalloped)

Fertile fronds, shorter than sterile, emerge midsummer, remain erect all winter, release spores early following spring. One of our easiest ferns to identify in January.

where wet areas

ME

NH

VT
MA
RI
CT
click
C
C
C
C
C
C
for key

Comment

New fronds emerge from rapidly spreading rhizome

Fronds variable; "mowed" form has sori on back of sterile-looking frond

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