Sensitive fern

Description:

A medium-sized deciduous fern, quite common in central Virginia. There are separate vegetative (sterile) fronds and fertile fronds. Sensitive fern can look a lot like netted chainfern, and the two species are often found together. Sensitive fern usually has pinnae with scalloped edges, and the pinnae are have an opposite arrangement; netted chainfern pinnae are not scalloped and are mostly have an alternate arrangement. (Compare this picture to http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/183....)