Sweet Fern 
Myrica peregrina 
A low, fragrant, nitrogen-fixing bush with fernlike foliage, growing to a height of 30 to 60 centimeters. Forms dense clones. Some brown dried leaves usually persist on the plant throughout the winter. All plant parts are fragrant when crushed.  

BUDS: >4 scales; false end buds.

TWIGS: Aromatic when crushed; hairy; resin-dotted when young.

FRUIT: A nut - borne in small catkins.

HABITAT: Acidic, sandy sites.
 
Glossary of botanical terms | Do an AltaVista search on this plant | Main page | Tree list, Common Name