The world of ferns is seemingly incomprehensible for laypeople. But if you don't know the bracken, you don't know the ferns. This example doesn't just look chic. It is also poisonous and keeps bugs away. So you should take a closer look at it.
What is the bracken and what does its profile look like?
The bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a perennial, hardy plant that is widespread worldwide. It grows 40-200 cm high, has tripinnate leaves and is ripe for spores between July and October. The fern is undemanding to care for, poisonous and can keep pests away.
Short and to the point
- Plant family and genus: bracken family, bracken
- Botanical name: Pteridium aquilinum
- Distribution: widespread worldwide
- Occurrence: forests, meadows, pastures
- Growth: 40 to 200 cm high (in exceptional cases up to 400 cm)
- Leaves: tripinnate
- Spore maturation: July to October
- Location: partial shade
- Care: undemanding
- Reproduction: division, spores
- Special features: highly toxic to humans and animals
Other names and characteristics
The bracken fern gets its name because its fronds are reminiscent of the talons of an eagle. It is also known under the Latin name Pteridium aquilinum and under the names flea fern, bug fern and large forest fern.
This plant is perennial and is well hardy in this country. With its ambitious nature, it has spread worldwide - except in the polar zones and desert areas. The bracken is particularly common in Central Europe. There it prefers to stand in sparse forests, peat bogs as well as meadows and pastures.
A detailed look at the external appearance
There is a large and branched rhizome in the soil. With this, the bracken survives in its location for many decades, centuries or even more than a millennium. Rhizomes 60 m long were found in Finland, leading botanists to conclude that the bracken was 1,500 years old.
With its slightly overhanging fronds that emerge individually from the rhizome, the bracken usually grows to a height of 2 m. Rarely it rises up to 4 m high. This makes it the largest native fern. The fresh green fronds are long-stemmed and triple pinnate.
The spores on the underside of the fronds mature between July and October. They are then spread by the wind. Although the bracken fern produces many spores, it prefers to reproduce through its rhizomes.
Tips & Tricks
The bracken fern is highly poisonous. Therefore, it is best to combat it when it grows green in the home area and there are small children or grazing animals in the household.
