Onoclea sensibilis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- on-OH-klee-ah sen-si-BIL-iss
- Description
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Sensitive fern is a large, NC native, deciduous fern in the Aspleniaceae family, that thrives in moist woodland soils. These ferns exhibit long pinnatifid, sterile fronds, which have characteristic netted veins. The fertile fronds are less than half of the length of the sterile fronds and they turn brown as the summer progresses. The common name, sensitive fern, refers to the inability of this fern to tolerate mild frost and drought.
Sensitive ferns prefer soils high in organic matter that are consistently moist. As such, they are often found in and around swamps or marshes. However, this fern can thrive in shaded, home gardens if the soil is consistently provided with access to water. Propagation occurs both via creeping rhizomes and spores.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaf: Summer
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: The foliage may depreciate as summer progresses in hot climates, particularly if soils are not kept moist.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Onoclea
- Species:
- sensibilis
- Family:
- Onocleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides excellent ground cover for animals.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Highly resistant to damage from deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits or seeds. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The sensitive fern has broad, almost triangular fronds. The sterile fronds are deeply pinnatified to bipinnatified, and thin texture. The fronds of most pinnae are nearly opposite, the rachis is smooth, pale tan or yellow. The fronds turn yellow or russet in the 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. It is dimorphic (occurring in or representing two distinct forms).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Weedy
