Comptonia peregrina
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Comptonia peregrina

sweet fern

  family myricaceae 
  genus comptonia 

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Identification
Genus  Comptonia Species  peregrina Variety  Cultivar  Common names  sweet fern Family  MYRICACEAE Specimen number  S11585 Data source  HtZn p99;Xeri p305;Xeri p300
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Woody perennial Life span  5 - 20 years Annual cycle  Deciduous Stature  Shrub Growth form  Various Growth habit  Not applicable Overall height  5' Overall spread  3' - 5'
 
Climate
Sunshine  Various Water  Dry Optimal soil texture  Sandy Acceptable soil pH  Soil pH 05-06 USDA hardiness  USDA zones 02a-10b AHS heat zones  Heat zones 08-03 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Comptonia peregrina can survive the coldest of winter climates with annual temperatures as low as -50� Fahrenheit. Sweet fern needs summer days with high heat. This plant does well in sandy soils. It needs soil that is dry. This species can survive short periods of drought.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  yes Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest  shiny brown cone-shaped nuts Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes 
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  perfumed Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Layering Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Propagation of Comptonia peregrina can be achieved by layering.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Comptonia peregrina is a woody perennial. Sweet fern is deciduous in nature. Leaves: This plant has lacy narrow-pointed leaves that are covered with brown hairs. Flowers: This species has interesting catkins. Typically the flowers are either red or brown.

Page 1269 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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