Bracken  (Pteridium aquilinum)

Very widespread and common (3).

Bracken is a well-known deciduous fern (3); a species that has inspired a rich wealth of folklore in Britain (4). It is easy to recognise by its straw-coloured branching stem, which can reach over four meters in height in good conditions (1). When they first appear in spring, the delicate new fronds which slowly unfurl have been likened to shepherd's or bishop's crooks, or a fiddlehead (5); the young leaves are covered with downy hairs and brown scales. The individual lance-shaped 'leaflets' (pinnae) are 5 to 15 millimetres in length, and brown spore cases (sori) are found around the edges of the undersides of these segments (2). At the base of the fronds there are yellowish hair-like nectaries, which attract ants (4). The fronds die in autumn, taking on a deep golden hue before turning brown (6).

Almost ubiquitous, bracken is extremely common throughout Britain, and its range has increased dramatically during the 20th century. It occurs around the world, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic regions (5).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

This fern is found in moorland, hill pasture and a variety of other habitats with acidic soils. It particularly thrives on deep loams and sands, but is rare on alkaline soil. It has been found at heights of up to 585 metres, but probably occurs higher than this in some areas (3).

Curled bracken shoots first appear in May and are vulnerable to late frosts at this time (4). This species reproduces by means of spores, which are released from the brown spore-cases on the undersides of the fronds (4). It can also spread by vegetative reproduction, from a subterranean creeping storage organ known as a rhizome (2). When cut in half, the rhizome is said to display a pattern reminiscent of an oak tree, or outspread eagle wings (which may account for the specific name, aquila, which means eagle). It was also believed that letters could be seen in the patterns inside a rhizome; these were thought to show the initials of a future spouse (4). This fern also became associated with invisibility, although the reason is not entirely clear. It has been suggested that the lack of flowers may have fuelled the association; the mysterious absence of flowers was once thought to be magical (6).

This species has been put to a wide range of practical uses, as manure, mulch, tinder, and fuel; in 18th century Scotland it was burned to obtain potash needed for glass and soap manufacture, and it was (and still is in some areas) used as a bedding for livestock (6). One of its main uses, however, was as a packaging material (6). As these applications have declined, bracken cutting has ceased in many areas, and the species has spread dramatically as a result (6). Although livestock tend to avoid bracken, as it is extremely toxic, in dry years when there is very little else to eat livestock may browse on bracken, often with fatal results (6).

Not threatened at present.

No conservation action is required for this very common species.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

For more information on British plants and their conservation see:

• Plantlife:
  http://www.plantlife.org.uk
• Botanical Society of the British Isles at:
  http://www.bsbi.org.uk