September 30: The Sensitive Fern
Sensitive Fern
The Beadlike Fertile Frond of the Sensitive Fern
Despite the lack of rain, fall is off to a warm start and the extended forecast isn’t showing frost anytime soon. That’s good news for sensitive fern, a plant that is easily stressed and killed off by cold temperatures. It’s that sensitivity that gave the fern its common name. As far as ferns go, this is an easy one to identify, as its broad fronds are very different from the lacy fronds found on the other ferns in our region. Sensitive fern grows one to three feet tall in full sun as well as partly shady areas that are chronically damp, such as wet fields and moist woods.
When frost finally arrives in our region, those broad infertile fronds will turn brown and crisp, eventually breaking down and returning to the soil. Despite this, sensitive fern remains a noticeable plant throughout the winter, thanks to the fertile fronds that persist until the spring. The fertile fronds are dark brown hardened reproductive stalks that have a beaded appearance, which leads to another common name of the plant, beaded fern. When spring rolls around, the bead like structures split open to release the ferns spores, which are promptly distributed by the wind.
Sensitive Fern in the Field at Oak Point Farm
Sensitive ferns have limited value for wildlife and humans. When food is scarce in the winter, wild turkeys have been spotted feeding on the fertile fronds. Deer may also brose on the infertile fronds to a limited extent in the warmer weather. Several insects such as aphids are known to feed on the leaves and plant juices. Some native American groups used the plant as a medication for blood problems, arthritis, and infection; and as a cooked vegetable.
Despite the lack of animal and human interest in the sensitive fern, it is a plant that has been around for a long time. Folks have found fossil imprints from the time of dinosaurs that closely resemble the sensitive fern. It appears that it has changed very little from its ancestors during millions of years. So head out on the trails and get a look at some living history, at least until the frost rolls around and kills it.
