sweet fern

n 1: mat-forming lithophytic or terrestrial fern with creeping

rootstocks and large pinnatifid fronds found throughout

North America and Europe and Africa and east Asia [syn:

{common polypody}, {adder's fern}, {wall fern}, {golden

maidenhair}, {golden polypody}, {Polypodium vulgare}]

2: deciduous shrub of eastern North America with scented

fernlike leaves and catkin-like heads of tiny white

flowers [syn: {Comptonia peregrina}, {Comptonia

asplenifolia}]