# sensitive fern

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Onoclea sensibilis, a coarse-textured, medium to large-sized deciduous perennial fern.

## Etymology
From the observation by early American settlers that the plant is very sensitive to frost, the fronds dying quickly when first touched by it.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sensitive-fern