Bracken  (Pteridium aquilinum)

Bracken is a well-known deciduous fern (3); most experts consider that there is only one member of the genus Pteridium (4), and the species has inspired a rich wealth of folklore in Britain (5). It is easy to recognise by its straw-coloured branching stem, which can reach over 4 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 (4); the young leaves are covered with downy hairs and brown scales. The individual lance-shaped 'leaflets' (pinnae) are 5-15 mm 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 (5). The fronds die in autumn, taking on a deep golden hue before turning brown (6).