Comptonia peregrina // Sweetfern
Origin: Native to Eastern United States
Etymology/Cultural Associations: Genus name Comptonia honors dendrologist and patron of botany Henry Compton (1632-1713) who served as the bishop of London. Species epithet means “exotic” or “immigrant”, although Sweetfern is native to New England. Common name refers to pungent aroma released when leaves are crushed, and resemblance of notched leaf edges to fern fronds.
Habitat: Old Field community. Grows easily in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, but can tolerate wet, windy conditions as well as drought and a variety of soils.
Mature Size: 2-5′ tall with 3-8′ spread. Does not transplant well, but can spread rapidly to form colonies once established.
Leaves: Alternate. Simple. Narrow, lustrous, leaves are deeply notched and medium to dark green in color. Leaves grow up to 4″ long, and resemble abstracted fern fronds.
Bark: Old stems are shiny and have a coppery, purplish color. Resin dots appear on stems.
Flower/Fruit: Monoecious. Insignificant, yellowish-green flowers appear in Spring, giving way to greenish brown, burr-like nutlets.
[www.missouribotanicalgarden.org]
[www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org]
