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Summary
Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Physical Characteristics
Onoclea sensibilis is a deciduous Fern growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. The seeds ripen from June to October.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses:
The young uncurled leaves, often called 'fiddleheads', are used as a vegetable or eaten raw[[159, 177, 183]. Remove the brown scales and then steam the leaves in very little water[213]. The young shoots have been sold as delicacies in Asian markets[213]. Root - cooked[105, 161, 177, 183]. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity[213].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Galactogogue Poultice Women's complaints
Sensitive fern has not been much used medicinally. However, one native North American Indian tribe did employ it quite widely to treat various women's complaints[257]. An infusion of the root has been used to treat the pain following childbirth[257]. A decoction of the roots has been used to treat fertility in women, to give strength after childbirth, to start the menses, and to treat swellings, cramps and a sore abdomen[257]. An infusion of the whole plant, or just the root, has been applied externally to full breasts where the milk will not flow[257]. A poultice of the plant is used in treating deep cuts[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Hair
A decoction of the plant has been used as a hair wash to help prevent baldness[257]. This species has a freely-running rootstock and makes an effective ground cover plant[200, 233]. Although it is deciduous its decomposing ferns make an effective weed suppressing mulch[200]. Plants should be spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].
Special Uses
Food Forest Ground cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Container, Foundation, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a moist light soil in partial shade[187]. Requires a damp humus-rich site in partial shade with preferably only 2 - 3 hours of sun daily[200]. Plants require an abundance of water at the roots all year round[1] and they grow well in a bog or woodland garden, or on the water's edge where they may grow out over the water[200]. Requires a pH in the range 5 - 6.5[200]. Plants can colonize most situations that are not too dry and are sheltered from harsh winds[200]. A very hardy plant, the rootstock can tolerate temperatures down to about -30°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. A very ornamental[1] and easily grown fern, spreading quite vigorously by means of a slender far-creeping rhizome when it is established[187]. It can become invasive in suitable conditions[200]. The fronds die quickly with the first autumn frosts[187], which is why the plant has gained its common name of the sensitive fern[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep them in humid conditions until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old. Division of underground rhizomes, October to March.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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