Southern Brackenfern
Pteridium caudatum
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Venezuelan Antilles
Homer Edward Price (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Dennstaedtiaceae
- Genus:
- Pteridium
- Species:
- Pteridium caudatum
- USDA Symbol:
- PTCA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
black-headed fireworm (Sparganothis pilleriana), bracken borer moth (Papaipema pterisii), California Tussock Moth (Leptarctia californiae), Callopistria cordata, Callopistria mollissima, Eueretagrotis perattentus, Euplexia benesimilis, fringed homochlodes moth (Homochlodes fritillaria), Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja), Hitched Arch (Melanchra adjuncta), Homochlodes lactispargaria, Melanchra assimilis, Olethreutes osmundana, Paradiarsia littoralis, Philedia punctomacularia, Spilosoma pteridis, Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Bracken ferns are highly fire-adapted, resprouting vigorously from deep rhizomes after fire. Often increases in abundance following burns.
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, disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Reproduces primarily via spores; spore germination requires moist, shaded conditions and is rarely attempted in cultivation.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI