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| ## sweetfern {#sweetfern .Title-Header}                               |
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| *Comptonia peregrina* L.                                              |
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| Plant Symbol = COPE80                                                 |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Sweetfern (Comptonia
peregrina)](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.891732283464567in"
height="1.958267716535433in"}

**Alternate Names**

*Comptonia peregrina* (L.) Coult. var. *aspleniifolia* (L.) Fern.,
*Myrica aspleniifolia* L., *Myrica peregrina* (L.) Kuntze

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

This nitrogen-fixing plant is used primarily as a ground cover for
erosion control and species diversity in sterile, sandy soils. The
abundant underground stems, or rhizomes, makes it especially suited to
stabilizing steep, sandy banks. It makes a pleasing companion plant in a
coastal setting with the low growing junipers, rugosa rose, bayberry,
and beach plum.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values). It is
considered threatened or endangered in several states.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Bayberry Family (Myricaceae). Sweetfern is a low, loosely branched,
mat-forming shrub, 1-3 feet high, with sweet-scented, fern like leaves.
The alternate, hair-covered leaves are 2-5 inches long and taper at each
end. There is an occasional compound leaf form variation. The leaf
blades are deeply cut into 20 or more rounded lobes, dark green above,
paler and hair-covered beneath and on the midrib and margin above.
Resinous glands cover both surfaces. Leaves are very aromatic when
crushed. The flowers are small, inconspicuous catkins that bloom during
April and May. Flowers of one or both sexes can be produced on an
individual plant. The male catkins are rather long and cylindrical; the
female catkins are short and rounded. In winter, the male catkins are
prominent and erect. The female catkins become bur-like at maturity and
are 1/2 inch in diameter. The seeds are nutlets that mature in August
and become available in September and October. About four seeds are
found in each fruit. Each seed is about 1/4 inch long, olive brown in
color, and shiny.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Sweetfern does especially well in open, sterile, sandy soils of
woodlands, clearings, and pastures. It prefers acidic soils over
limestone soils.

Sweetfern is distributed throughout northeastern United States. For a
current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Some nurseries offer wild collected clumps, but it is best established
using nursery-grown, containerized plants. Losses of plants from the
wild can be considerable. One or two year old liner material is also
acceptable.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Little management is needed if planted in an appropriate site. Sweetfern
does not tolerate shading well, so removing competing vegetation is
important.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

No known varieties of sweetfern exist. Plants are available at nurseries
in the Northeast that specialize in coastal plants.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 01jun06 jsp {#edited-01feb2002-jlk-01jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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