Western brakenfern produces large, wide triangular fronds. The fronds, which grow 1-3 feet tall, are divided into slender, triangular fronds, which extend from the slender center stem. These first divisions of frond leaflets are further divided into long, lobed leaflets that look just like miniature versions of the first frond subdivision. The entire plant is bright green in color. The fiddleheads, or curled up fern, are silvery green.
Basic Information
Member of the Dennstaedtiaceae, or braken fern, family
Perennial herb and fern
Deciduous
In the past, the genus was commonly treated a single species, Pteridium aquilinum, but recently it has been subdivided it into about ten species by some taxonomists, though it is often still treated as a single species
Habitat
Native to Europe, Eastern Asia and North America
Now has a worldwide range, growing nearly everywhere except Antartica
Commonly found in dry woodlands and pine forests
Ecological Role
Provides shelter to small animals
Reproduction
This is a non-flowering species — rather than produce flowers, this plant releases airborne spores to reproduce
Sporulates from July to September
Alternative Names
Hairy Brackenfern, Northern Bracken Fern, Bracken Fern, Western Bracken, Bracken, eagle fern
Historical Uses
Brakenfern is widely used throughout the world because of its massive range
Bracken fiddleheads are a widely eaten vegetable in Korea, Japan, Russian Far East, and parts of China
In Korea, bracken is known as gosari
In Japan, it is known as warabi
Bracken leaves are used in the Mediterranean to filter sheep's milk and store freshly made ricotta cheese
Bracken shoots have been used to produce beer in Siberia, and among indigenous peoples of North America
The rhizome was used to make a porridge called gofio in the Canary Islands
The young fiddleheads were peeled, boiled or steamed and eaten by many Native American tribes
All parts of the plant were widely used in Native American medicine
Some treatments included: rheumatism, diarrhea, and complications during birth
Additional Information
All parts of this plant are poisonous, containing the carcinogenic compound ptaquiloside
This compound is partially water-soluble, so often the plant is soaked for hours before consumption