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Pteridium aquilinum
Bracken
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The Pteridium aquilinum plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Polypodiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Bracken. Some home gardeners know the variety as Pteris aquilina. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
Latin Name: Pteridium aquilinum
Common Name: Bracken
Family: Polypodiaceae
Author: (L.)Kuhn.
Known Hazards: There are a number of reports regarding the possible health risks of this plant. The huge quantity of spores released by large areas of bracken are suggested to be implicated in stomach cancers. A recent study suggests that this is not such a problem in Britain as was once believed, the spores are not produced in such high quantities nor do they travel so far due to our normally humid atmosphere. The leaves and roots contain substances that deprive the body of vitamin B1 if they are eaten raw, though they are possibly alright cooked[102]. The leaves are also said to be carcinogenic[65, 76].
Mature Height: 1.2 Mature Width: 2
Habitat: Heath, woodland and grassland. A common and highly invasive weed of acid soils[9], it is rarely found on limestone or wet peats[17].
Propagation Notes: Spores can be surface sown in the same way as other ferns but this plant really does not need any help in spreading itself about.
Division is also possible but usually totally unneccessary.
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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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