Latin Name: Comptonia peregrina
Other Names: Fern Gale
Characteristics
- deciduous, shrub-like, low, branching
- darker bark (stems)
- leaves: narrow, underside paler, slightly hairy
- leaves sweetly aromatic when rubbed or crushed
- flowers: small, inconspicuous, catkins
- fruits: smooth, rounded, nutlets, bur-like
Edible Uses
- Fruit (nutlets)
- Leaves for tea (fresh or dried)
Medicinal Uses
- Used as toothache remedy
- Used to treat diarrhea
- Used to treat skin irritations (Poison Ivy, stings, ringworm, etc.)
- USed for fevers, catarrh, vomiting of blood
- Used for sprains and rheumatism
- Leaves are astringent
- Used as blood purifier
- Used in form of a poultice, expectorant or tonic
Other Uses
- Leaves used to line and cover blueberry baskets to maintain berry freshness, and prevent spoilage
- Leaves used as insect repellent
- Leaves burnt as incense
Cautionary Uses
- n/a
References & Resources
- Comptonia peregrina on Plants for a Future
- Book: Forest Plants of Central Ontario, 1996