Comptonia peregrina (L.) J.M. Coult. var. aspleniifolia (L.) Fernald
Liquidambar aspleniifolia (L.) L.
Liquidambar peregrina L.
Myrica aspleniifolia L.
Myrica aspleniifolia L. var. tomentosa (A. Chev) Gleason
Myrica peregrina (L.) Kuntze
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Comptonia peregrina (L.) J.M. Coult. Sweetfern
Sweetfern is literally in a class by itself, being the only member of genus Comptonia. (The genus is named from Henry Compton, bishop of London from 1632-1713.) Sweetfern is native to eastern North America. Although its foliage is fern-like, it is not actually a fern. Ferns don't flower, and sweetfern does. The common name refers to the odor of its foliage, not its flowers. The odor is stronger when the leaves are crushed. Identification: Plants are up to 5′ (1.5 m) tall. Stems are woody and strong, red-brown to gray. Leaves are long and narrow—1-6″ (3-15 cm) × ⅛-1″ (3-30 mm). They are somewhat fernlike in appearance, but on close inspection, the long narrow leaves are not symmetrical like those of ferns. Flowers are inconspicuous light brown catkins at branch ends, 1¼-1¾″ (3.2-4.4 cm) long. Seeds resemble burrs, with four to each fruit. Online References:
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
8/12/2009 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)
A touch of frost. · 11/19/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)
5/13/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
8/6/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)
6/22/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) Comptonia peregrina description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 14 Aug 2021.
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6/27/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)
6/12/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts
9/14/2023 · Nature Conservancy Access Trail, Sprague Pond, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 6 × 10″ (16 × 24 cm)
8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)
4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
8/4/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
7/3/2005 · Pepperell, Massachusetts
8/29/2015 · Mount Grace, Athol, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm)
9/23/2017 · Summit of Mt. Agamenticus, York, Maine · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 7 cm) Range:
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