sweetfern
ExplorePlants
sweetfern
Comptonia peregrina
Sweetfern is a lovely shrub that grows in sandy places. It has soft, fern-like leaves and gives off a sweet smell, especially when you touch it. It's a great plant for nature lovers to discover!
Habitat: Sandy areas
Appearance
The sweetfern is a woody shrub that looks like a fern, with long, narrow, bright green leaves deeply lobed and highly aromatic. Its upright stems create a bushy appearance, contrasting with the soft, delicate look of its foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyMyricaceaeGenusComptonia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
40
Interesting facts
Even though it's called a fern, it's actually a woody shrub related to bayberry plants!
Indigenous peoples historically used sweetfern for teas, medicines, and even insect repellent!
Its tiny, scale-like female flowers turn into small, cone-like fruits after pollination!
Rub its leaves for a strong, spicy-sweet smell, like a forest air freshener!
Special abilities
Ability
Nitrogen Power-Up
Sweetfern can add nitrogen to the soil using special bacteria in its roots, helping it grow in poor ground.
Ability
Fire Fighter Friend
Sweetfern can quickly regrow after a fire, making it a pioneer plant in disturbed, open areas.
Ability
Scent Shield
Sweetfern has highly fragrant leaves that deter some animals, protecting it from being eaten.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Nitrogen-fixing bacterium
Frankia alni
Helps sweetfern grow in nutrient-poor soils.
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on its aromatic leaves and twigs.
eaten by
Sweetfern Sphinx Moth
Darapsa myron
Its caterpillars exclusively feed on sweetfern leaves.
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify sweetfern?
The easiest way to identify sweetfern is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is sweetfern?
50-150 cm
How wide does sweetfern spread?
100-300 cm
When does sweetfern bloom?
Spring
Is sweetfern edible?
Yes
Is sweetfern toxic?
None
What is sweetfern's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is sweetfern pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 19, 2026
Camp Evansi
Photo attribution
(c) Jason K., some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 23, 2026
Canton Center Historic Districti
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jul 2, 2023
Canoe Landing Prairie State Natural Areai
Photo attribution
(c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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Park45 sightings50 species
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Park45 sightings50 species
Connecticut, US
Canton Center Historic District
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View guide →
