Ferns 2026

Sensitive Fern

After all the unusual, hard to find ferns I have been highlighting, here is a lovely fern that is widespread in our area. The Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is probably a fern you have all seen, and know by name. The name supposedly comes from it dying back earlier than other ferns from the early frost, but I am not sure it is that different from many others. It is interesting reading the older fern books, whose authors suggest that the "sensitive" name in relation to the early frost is not appropriate from their observations. Edgar Wherry, a famous fern botanist who named several plants and had even more named for him, named Onoclea sensibilis "Bead-Fern" in his Guide to Eastern Ferns (1948). He described it as a "Very weedy plant, often termed "sensitive fern", but this is inappropriate, the common name bead-fern, in reference to the bead-like fertile pinnules, is here preferred." But all the later books still refer to it as Sensitive Fern, and most also mention the sensitivity to frost. Check it out for yourselves this Fall!

The Sensitive Fern is found in wetlands, wet meadows, and areas that have at least some moisture (like hillside seeps). It has very different forms for the sterile leaves (as seen in the photo), and the fertile stems, which are narrow with dark brown bead-like structures that persist through the winter and for which Wherry named it Bead-Fern.

You will see a good amount of Sensitive Ferns and the other most common native ferns to our area along our Fern Walk at Fitzgerald Lake in Northampton this Saturday from 10am-12pm. Mostly very easy walking trails and boardwalk.See the calendar listing for information on registering with the Broadbrook Coalition (no fee).

Janice

Posted: to PV Fern News on Wed, Jun 24, 2026
Updated: Thu, Jun 25, 2026