Pteridium aquilinum
Bracken, Adder's spit, Brake fern, Eagle brake, Eagle fern, Fern of God, Hog brake, Pasture brake, Western brackenfern, Decomposition brackenfern, Hairy brackenfern
Pteridium Pteridium
P. aquilinum - P. aquilinum is a vigorous, coarse, rhizomatous, deciduous fern with arching to nearly horizontal, triangular, bi- or tri-pinnate, mid-green fronds.
Pteridium aquilinum is: Deciduous
Clump-forming, Arching
Historically, young fiddleheads have been considered edible but studies indicate that the leaves are carcinogenic and deplete the body of vitamin B1. Large concentrations of spores may cause stomach cancer.
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
Division, Spores
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Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Woodland, Underplanting, Banks and Slopes
Grows best in poor to moderately fertile, moist or moist but well-drained, sandy, acid soil in sun or partial shade. Extremely vigorous and hardy so site carefully as will become invasive. Tends to be difficult to control due to deep, creeping rhizomes.
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Acid, Neutral
Partial Shade, Full Sun
North, South, East, West
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
Pteridium aquilinum
Bracken, Adder's spit, Brake fern, Eagle brake, Eagle fern, Fern of God, Hog brake, Pasture brake, Western brackenfern, Decomposition brackenfern, Hairy brackenfern
Pteridium Pteridium
P. aquilinum - P. aquilinum is a vigorous, coarse, rhizomatous, deciduous fern with arching to nearly horizontal, triangular, bi- or tri-pinnate, mid-green fronds.
Deciduous
Clump-forming, Arching
Historically, young fiddleheads have been considered edible but studies indicate that the leaves are carcinogenic and deplete the body of vitamin B1. Large concentrations of spores may cause stomach cancer.
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Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
Division, Spores
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Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.
Woodland, Underplanting, Banks and Slopes
Grows best in poor to moderately fertile, moist or moist but well-drained, sandy, acid soil in sun or partial shade. Extremely vigorous and hardy so site carefully as will become invasive. Tends to be difficult to control due to deep, creeping rhizomes.
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Acid, Neutral
Partial Shade, Full Sun
North, South, East, West
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
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This plant likes... | Garden match | |
Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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