Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta (Filicophyta)
Class: Pteridopsida (Filicopsida)
Subclass: Polypoditae
Order: Athyriales
Family: Onocleaceae
Genus: Onoclea

Onoclea sensibilis

Common names: Sensitive fern or bead fern

• Onoclea sensibilis
• Range: Eastern North America
• Chromosome count: n=37
• Confused with: Lorinseria areolata, netted chain fern

(Drawing from How to Know the Ferns by Frances Parsons)

The name "sensitive fern" is due to the rapid wilting of the fronds once picked. The name "bead fern" refers to the spore stalks, which are very different in form from the sterile fronds. The sporophylls are narrowly contracted around the sori, giving an appearance of a beaded chain.

The sensitive fern likes wet areas and full sun, but will grow almost anywhere that's not too dry, given a little encouragement. It's one of the most common ferns of eastern North America and may aggressively colonize a large area.

The sensitive fern may be grown in the garden, particularly if you have a wet spot to fill in, but make sure that it can be positively contained.

The chromosome count of the sensitive fern is n=37, which is presumed to be a reduction from n=40/41.