Sweet Fern
Comptonia peregrina
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © guillaumevigneault (iNaturalist #100269612)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Myricaceae
- Genus:
- Comptonia
- Species:
- Comptonia peregrina
- USDA Symbol:
- COPE80
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★★ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix atrodorsella, Agonopterix walsinghamella, Apple Sphinx (Sphinx "gordius"), Apple Sphinx (Sphinx gordius), Argent and sable (Rheumaptera hastata), Aroga argutiola, Aroga trialbamaculella, Bay underwing (Catocala badia), Bayberry Leafroller Moth (Strepsicrates smithiana), Bent-line gray (Iridopsis larvaria), birch tubemaker moth (Acrobasis betulella), blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), blue spiderwort moth (Hypomecis buchholzaria), Bucculatrix paroptila, Caloptilia asplenifoliatella, Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Cleora sublunaria, Coelebs Underwing (Catocala coelebs), Coleophora comptoniella, Coleophora peregrinaevorella, Coleophora persimplexella, Coleophora serratella, Dichomeris bipunctella, Effecta Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena effecta), Eufidonia discospilata, Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Exartema sp., False Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype urticaria), fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Gypsonoma fasciolana, Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Io moth (Automeris io), Lacinipolia lorea, lanceolate dagger moth (Acronicta lanceolaria), least-marked euchlaena moth (Euchlaena irraria), Maple spanworm (Ennomos magnaria), Melanchra assimilis, Mesothea incertata, Norman's dart (Xestia normanianus), Olethreutes appendiceum, Olethreutes electrofuscum, Olethreutes glaciana, Orthotaenia undulana, Parornix peregrinaella, pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus), Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Phyllonorycter comptoniella, Polia purpurissata, Prochoerodes transversata, Protolampra brunneicollis, Purple-lined sallow (Pyrrhia exprimens), red-banded leafroller (Acrobasis rubrifasciella), Red-fronted Emerald (Nemoria rubrifrontaria), Scallop moth (Cepphis armataria), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Sphinx poecila, sweetfern geometer (Cyclophora pendulinaria), sweetfern leaf casebearer (Acrobasis comptoniella), sweetfern underwing (Catocala antinympha), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), waxmyrtle wave moth (Cyclophora myrtaria), white slant-line (Tetracis cachexiata), white triangle tortrix (Clepsis persicana), white-fringed emerald (Nemoria mimosaria), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Angulose Prominent (Peridea angulosa), sweetfern underwing (Catocala antinympha)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Common in fire-prone barrens and pine-oak communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in poor, well-drained soils typical of pine barrens
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from acid scarification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * peat based medium