Waimakanui
Pteridium revolutum
- Native to:
- Australia, Borneo, Cambodia, China, Hawaii, India, Jawa, Laos, Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Vietnam
Dinesh Valke
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Dennstaedtiaceae
- Genus:
- Pteridium
- Species:
- Pteridium revolutum
- USDA Symbol:
- PTEX
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Bracken fern is highly fire-adapted, resprouting vigorously from deep rhizomes after fire. Often increases in abundance following burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- acidic, well-drained, sandy 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:
- Fern reproduces via spores; spore germination requires moist, shaded conditions and is slow and erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI