Interesting Facts
Common Names
Click on the language to view common names.
Common Names in English:
Bracken, Bracken Fern, Brackenfern, Brake, Northern Bracken Fern, Western Bracken Fern, Western Brackenfern
Common Names in Finnish:
Sanajalka
Common Names in French:
Fougère Des Aigles
Common Names in Korean:
Kosari
Common Names in Maori:
Aruhe, Kakaka, Mahunu, Makaka, Makehu, Manehu, Marohi, Pananehu, Parara, Rahurahu, Rarahu, Rarauhe, Rauaruhe, Roi, Takaka
Common Names in Romanian:
Ferigă De Câmp, Ferigă De Cîmp
Common Names in Swedish:
örnbräken
Description
Genus Pteridium
Plants
terrestrial
, often forming colonies or thickets. Stems subterranean
, slender, long-creeping; hairs
pale
to dark, jointed
; scales
absent; true vessels
present (absent in other Dennstaedtiaceae
genera in the flora
). Leaves widely spaced, broadly deltate, 0.5--4.5 m.
Petiole
glabrous
to short-hairy, without prickles, with stem buds near base
, vascular bundles
numerous
, U- or O-shaped in cross
section
. Blade
2--4-pinnate, rachis and costae grooved
adaxially; rachis without prickles; nectaries at base of proximal
and sometimes distal pinnae. Segments pinnately divided
, ultimate
segments ovate
to oblong
to linear
, base extending proximally on costae (decurrent) or proximally (surcurrent
), margins
entire
. Veins free
or joined at margin by commissural
vein
beneath
sori, pinnately 2--3-forked. Sori ± continuous, covered by recurved, outer false indusium and obscure
, extrorse
, inner true indusium. Spores tetrahedral-globose, trilete, very finely granulate
. x
= 26.
Species 1 (1 species, 4 vari: almost worldwide.Carol A. Jacobs, James H. Peck "Pteridium". in Flora of North America Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org.
Physical Description
Species Pteridium aquilinum
Petioles
scattered
along creeping
stems, 0.3--3.5 m
, shallowly to
deeply grooved
adaxially, base
not strongly distinct
from stem. Blades
broadly deltate, papery
to leathery, sparsely to densely hairy
abaxially,
rarely glabrous
. Pinnae often opposite to subopposite [alternate];
proximal
pinnae often prolonged basiscopically, each proximal pinna
nearly equal to distal part of leaf in size and dissection (except
in var. caudata ). Segments alternate, numerous
. [source]
In accord with the most recent revision
(R. M.
Tryon 1941) of the
genus, Pteridium is treated here as a single widespread species composed
of two subspecies
with 12 varieties. So treated, it is probably the
most widespread species of all vascular plants, with the exception
of a few annual
weeds
(F. H. Perring and B
. G. Gardner 1976). The
plants
are generally aggressive, invading disturbed
areas as weeds
in pastures, cultivated fields
, and roadsides. In Europe, it was
harvested and burned to produce
potash. Although croziers are eaten
in many temperate
cultures
, bracken has been shown to contain thiaminase
(and other compounds
with mutagenic and carcinogenic
properties).
[source]
Disagreement exists among taxonomists regarding the rank that should
be accorded to the taxa treated herein as varieties. In a survey
of the genus, C.
N. Page (1976) noted uniform
chromosome numbers
and flavonoid compositions of the varieties. D. B. Lellinger (1985)
separated the genus into at least two species based on morphology,
recognizing as species the subspecies of R. M. Tryon (1941). J. T.
Mickel and J. M. Beitel (1988) reported sympatric occurrence in Mexico
of three taxa that maintained consistent characteristics and only
rarely produced
plants with combined characteristics. They suggested
that these three taxa should be considered as species that occasionally
hybridize
. P. J. Brownsey (1989) reported that two different brackens
in Australia formed sterile
hybrids and should be treated as species.
Modern systematic studies are needed to evaluate the status and rank
of the four North American varieties. [source]
Flowers: Bloom Period: n/a • Flower Color: inconspicuous, none
Size/Age/Growth
Size: 18-24" tall.
Habitat
Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 4,936 meters (0 to 16,194 feet).Mean = 241.200 meters (791.339 feet), Standard Deviation = 414.200 based on 5,700 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre.
Biology
Growth
Culture: Space 18-24" apart.
Soil: Minimum pH: 5.1 • Maximum pH: 7.5
Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Full Sun .
Temperature: Cold Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. (map)
Taxonomy
- Domain:
Eukaryota
(
)
- Whittaker & Margulis,1978
- Kingdom:
Plantae
()
- Haeckel, 1866
- Plants
- Subkingdom:
Viridaeplantae
()
- Cavalier-Smith, 1981
- Phylum:
Tracheophyta
()
- Sinnott, 1935 Ex Cavalier-Smith, 1998
- Vascular Plants
- Subphylum:
Euphyllophytina
()
- Infraphylum:
Moniliformopses
()
- Kenrick & Crane, 1997, Nom. Nud.
- Class:
Filicopsida
()
- Cronquist Et Al.
- Order:
Polypodiales
()
- Link
- Family:
Dennstaedtiaceae
()
- J.p. Lotsy, 1909
- Subfamily:
Iridoideae
()
- Subfamily:
Iridoideae
(
- Family:
Dennstaedtiaceae
(
- Order:
Polypodiales
(
- Class:
Filicopsida
(
- Infraphylum:
Moniliformopses
(
- Subphylum:
Euphyllophytina
(
- Phylum:
Tracheophyta
(
- Subkingdom:
Viridaeplantae
(
- Kingdom:
Plantae
(
Unambiguous Synonyms
- Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Decken
- Pteris aquilina Linnaeus
Notes
Publishing author
: Maxon. Publication
: Amer. Fern J. 9: 44 1919 Basionym
author: (Clute) Publishing author: Fernald. Publication: Rhodora 37: 247 1935 Publishing author: Hieron. Publication: Wiss. Erg. Schwed. Rhodesia-Kongo-Exp. 1911-1912 1: 7 1914 Name
Status: Accepted Name
. Latest taxonomic
scrutiny: 15-Mar-2000
Place of publication: O. Kersten, Reis. Ost-Afr. 3(3):11. 1879
Name verified on 16-Oct-1987 by ARS Systematic Botanists. Last updated: 20-Nov-2002
Similar Species
Members of the genus Pteridium
There are approximately 80 species in this genus:
P. angustissimum · P. aquilijnum · P. aquilimum · P. aquilinium · P. aquilinum (Bracken) · P. aquilinum aquilinum · P. aquilinum atlanticum · P. aquilinum caudata · P. aquilinum caudatum · P. aquilinum decompositum (Bracken) · P. aquilinum esculentum · P. aquilinum f. arachnoidea · P. aquilinum f. decipiens · P. aquilinum f. pumila · P. aquilinum latiusculum · P. aquilinum Percristatum Group · P. aquilinum pseudocaudatum · P. aquilinum subsp. aquilinum · P. aquilinum subsp. atlanticum · P. aquilinum subsp. capense · P. aquilinum subsp. caudata · P. aquilinum subsp. centrali-africanum · P. aquilinum subsp. decompositum · P. aquilinum subsp. esculentum · P. aquilinum subsp. fulvum · P. aquilinum subsp. herediae · P. aquilinum subsp. japonicum · P. aquilinum subsp. latiusculum · P. aquilinum subsp. pinetorum · P. aquilinum subsp. pseudocaudatum · P. aquilinum subsp. typicum · P. aquilinum subsp. wightianum · P. aquilinum typicum · P. aquilinum var. champlainense (Champlain's Brackenfern) · P. aquilinum var. decompositum · P. aquilinum var. esculentum · P. aquilinum var. feei · P. aquilinum var. latiusculum (Western Brackenfern) · P. aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum (Western Brackenfern) · P. aquilinum var. pubescens (Bracken) · P. aquilinum var. wightianum · P. aquilinum var. yarrabense · P. aquilium · P. aquillinum · P. arachnoideum (Tropical Brackenfern) · P. atrum · P. baerii · P. bertrandii · P. capense · P. caudatum (Southern Brackenfern) · P. caudatum subsp. arachnoideum · P. caudatum subsp. yarrabense · P. centrali-africanum · P. corymbosa · P. decompositum · P. esculentum (Austral Bracken) · P. falcatum · P. feei · P. heredia · P. herediae · P. lanuginosum · P. latiusculum f. berdii · P. latiusculum subsp. pinetorum · P. latiusculum var. latiusculum · P. latiusculum var. verum · P. lineare · P. oeningense · P. pinetorum · P. pinetorum osmundaceum · P. pinetorum subsp. osmundaceum · P. proliferum · P. psittacinum · P. revolutum · P. rostratum · P. scalabazensis · P. semihastatum · P. spinulosum · P. tauricum · P. yarrabense · P. yunnanense
Bibliography
- Allan, H. H. B. et al. 1961–. Flora of New Zealand. (F NZeal)
- FNA Editorial Committee. 1993–. Flora of North America. (F NAmer) 202.
- Holm, L. et al. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. (Atlas WWeed)
- Malezasdemexico. Malezas de México - on-line resource. (Malezas Mex)
- Markle, G. M. et al., eds. 1998. Food and feed crops of the United States, ed. 2. (Food Feed Crops US)
- McGuffin, M. et al., eds. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2. (Herbs Commerce ed2)
- Mickel, J. T. & A. R. Smith. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88:1-1054. (Ferns Mexico)
- Munro, D. B. Canadian poisonous plants information system - on-line resource. (Can Poison Pl)
- PROTABASE, the information base of PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - on-line resource. (PROTABASE)
- Pemberton, R. W. & N. S. Lee. 1996. Wild food plants in South Korea; market presence, new crops, and exports to the United States. Econ. Bot. 50:63, 67.
- Tagawa, M. & K. Iwatsuki. 1979. Flora of Thailand. (F Thailand) 3:125.
- Tryon, R. M. & A. F. Tryon. 1982. Ferns and allied plants with special reference to tropical America. (Ferns TAmer) 389. [Tryon & Tryon, Ferns & allied plants].
- Tryon, R. M. & R. G. Stolze. 1989–. Pteridophyta of Peru. Parts I-. Fieldiana, Botany new ser. (Ferns Peru) 22:105.
- Turrill, W. B. et al., eds. 1952–. Flora of tropical East Africa. (F TE Afr)
- Page, C. N. 1976. The taxonomy and phytogeography of bracken---A review. J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 73: 1--34.
- Perring, F. H. and B. G. Gardener, eds. 1976. The biology of bracken. [Symposium.] J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 73(1--3): i--vi, 1--302.
- Tryon, R. M. 1941. A revision of the genus Pteridium. Rhodora 43: 1--31, 37--67.
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Notes
Contributors
- "Pteridium aquilinum". in Flora of North America Vol. 2. Published by Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org.
- Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
- Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-2005. Systema Naturae 2000. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [http://sn2000.taxonomy.nl/Taxonomicon/]. Access date: Nov 23, 2005
- Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-2007. Systema Naturae 2000. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Accessed March 28, 2007.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed December 26, 2007. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from 2 providers.
- USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL (April 24, 2008)
- Universal Biological Indexer and Organizer. uBio.org accessed July 17, 2008.
- World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesFeb 2, 2006.
Data Sources
Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 17, 2007:
- Jyväskylä University Museum - The Section of Natural Sciences, Vascular plant collection of Jyvaskyla University Museum
- Oregon State University, Vascular Plant Collection
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium
- The Danish Biodiversity Information Facility, Botany registration database by Danish botanists
- UK National Biodiversity Network, Environment and Heritage Service - EHS Species Datasets
- UK National Biodiversity Network, Joint Nature Conservation Committee - Vegetation surveys of coastal shingle in Great Britain
- UK National Biodiversity Network, Scottish Borders Biological Records Centre - SWT Scottish Borders Local Wildlife Site Survey data 1996-2000 - species information
- UNIBIO, IBUNAM, MEXU/Plantas Vasculares
- University of Alabama Biodiversity and Systematics, Herbarium
Identifiers
- Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 2576522
- Catalogue of Life Accepted Name Code: ITS-17224
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 13728363
- Globally Unique Identifier: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:54911-3
- GRIN Nomen Number: 312948
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 17224
- International Plant Names Index (IPNI) ID: 54911-3
- Natural Heritage Network Species Identifier: PPDEN08010
- U.S.D.A. Plant Symbol: PTLAP
- Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 833
