Bracken Fern

Bracken Fern, Western Bracken Fern

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn

Dennstaedtiaceae

Colony of fern at edge of, and in open woods ▲ ▼

Closer view of bracken fern fronds ▲

Individual stem in a colony ▲

Several individual stems in a colony ▲

Bracken Fern:

Creeping perennial native fern that produces rhizomes
Individual 3-part fronds appear from spring through summer, and each frond is very finely divided
Stems usually green at first, then purplish
Ccan form large, open colonies in partially-shaded to shaded, fertile, high-organic matter, well-drained soils
Toxic to livestock if grazed or if cut hay
Found throughout Midwest in open, moist woods, clearings, meadows, pastures streambank areas