Western Brackenfern
Pteridium aquilinum
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Antipodean Is., Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Is., Chatham Is., Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kermadec Is., Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Selvagens, Sicilia, Socotra, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States, Yemen
Dmitry Makeev
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Dennstaedtiaceae
- Genus:
- Pteridium
- Species:
- Pteridium aquilinum
- USDA Symbol:
- PTAQ
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, deer browse
- Fall Color:
- brown, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted; regenerates vigorously from deep rhizomes after fire. Often increases in abundance following burns and can dominate post-fire landscapes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in open woodlands and heathlands
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Reproduces primarily via spores and extensive rhizome system; spore germination requires moist, shaded conditions and is rarely used in cultivation.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Collect spores from the surface of paper and surface sow in sterilized flats filled with sterile, finely milled peat moss that has been moistened with distilled water. Water spores with distilled water and seal flats with clear plastic wrap to seal in moisture and prevent fungal contamination. Place sealed flats in greenhouse set at 75/55 16/8 day/night temperature cycle.
Establishment: A unique characteristic of bracken fern is that the sterile (non-spore bearing frond) frond margins are covered by inrolled 'false' indusium that contains no spores. Collectors must be able to distinguish between fertile spore bearing fronds and non-fertile fronds. Collect spores just as the indusium begins to lift and spores become visible underneath.
Source: npn.rngr.net