Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern)

Sensitive fern is a common, beautiful fern of our moist meadows and woodlands. It mixes well with other ferns, sedges and wildflowers in a shade garden, but will also thrive in a low, wet spot in full sun. It rarely grows more than a foot high. Sensitive fern clumps will gradually expand rhizomatously (by means of shallow underground roots.) This fern gets its name because it turns brown at the first frost.