Virginia Tech Dendrology

fernbush Rosaceae Chamaebatiaria millefolium (Torr.) Maxim. symbol: CHMI2
Leaf: Alternate, evergreen in the south and deciduous in the north, fragrant, very finely bipinnately compound, appearing fern-like (hence the common name), light geen above, pale-pubescent below, sticky, to 3 1/2 inches, individual leaflets are tiny, with lobed or wavy margins.
Flower: Showy, in 4-inch terminal panicles or racemes, individual flowers have 5 petals, 1/2 inch across, mid to late summer.
Fruit: Technically a follicle, capsule-like, turning brown and splitting open at maturity in fall, persistent through the winter.
Twig: Slender, reddish brown, covered in pale pubescence, spur shoots present, leaf scars with 3 distinct bundle scars.
Bark: Reddish brown, smooth and shiny, with prominent lenticels, eventually becoming somewhat shreddy.
Form: A multi-stem shrub to 6 feet.

Additional Range Information: Chamaebatiaria millefolium is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material © 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information