scented fern n 1: fern of eastern North America with pale green fronds and an aroma like hay [syn: {hay-scented}, {hay-scented fern}, {boulder fern}, {Dennstaedtia punctilobula}] 2: sweetly scented African fern with narrow bipinnate fronds [syn: {Mohria caffrorum}] 3: common perennial aromatic herb native to Eurasia having buttonlike yellow flower heads and bitter-tasting pinnate leaves sometimes used medicinally [syn: {tansy}, {golden buttons}, {Tanacetum vulgare}]