Other common names:
Bracken Fern, Eastern Bracken Other scientific names: Pteridium latiusculum, Pteris aquilina French names:
Fougère d'aigle commune Family: Bracken Family (Dennstaedtiaceae) Similar species: • Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) - much smaller, grows in deep woods. • Robert's Fern (Gymnocarpium robertianum) - much smaller, uncommon. • Rattlesnake Fern (Botrypus virginianus) - much smaller, stouter for its size; has a central fertile frond sticking straight up. Leaves: Thrice divided Height:
Up to 2 m (1-5 ft) Stem:
Very tough - you can even cut yourself badly on it if you pull on it suddenly (this has happened to me). Habitat: Fields and Open Areas; Open areas, fields & meadows. Grows in Sun/Shade:
Sun Uses:
Not adviseable to eat this fern.
Edible:
Edible but not adviseable, as it contains carcinogens.
Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Very common.
Notes:
Can become invasive in certain areas/conditions.
For more information visit: Ontario Ferns Photographs:
147 photographs available, of which 17 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Typical leaves...
Typical growth form - the leaves form a flat "umbrella".
Bracken in an open pine woods.
Here Bracken has taken over a clearing.
Bracken can grow quite large sometimes, as shown here!
Sometimes Bracken grows in the upright form. Not sure why.
Sometimes the leaflets grow slightly irregularly.
Upper surface of a frond.
Underside of a frond. Sometimes the margins of the leaflets will curl under very slightly.
Underside, showing what appears to be the sori, but is in fact insect damage!
Fiddlehead in the spring (mid-May).
Bracken is not a recommended species of fern to eat. It contains high levels of carcinogens.
Ants seem to like Bracken.
Unfurling in the spring.
Bracken in the winter (February).
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