P h o t o b y R i c h a r d C a s s e l l
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Habitat:
Disturbance (fire) mediated. river bars, open woods, clearings and pastures, often on sandy soil.
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Species Description:
Perennial shrub.
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Phenology:
Flowering Period: Early April to late April.
Fruiting Period: Early August to late September.
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Additional Information at NatureServe
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Diagnostic Characteristics:
Aromatic shrub with linear-oblong leaves that are pinnatifid in shape (this leaf shape giving it the name sweet fern) have yellow resin-dots. Flowers not commonly present but these are tiny and without sepals or petals and arranged in catkins. Bracts of the infloresence are longer than the fruit which is a small nut. The ovary appears as a small bur about 1 cm across.
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Management:
Avoid changes in moisture/hydrologic conditions at the site. Changes could result from overstory removal, stream/wetland alteration or impacts due to erosion. Disturbance of surrounding areas such as ATV trails, timber removal or any activity that results in increased erosion and weed invasion will be detrimental.
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Global Range:
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Known Kentucky Occurrences:
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