Pteridium esculentum
Austral Bracken
Single hard rigidly upright fronds distantly spaced, spreading along branched underground stems to form extensive colonies. New growth covered in red-brown hairs.
Additional information
- FamilyDennstaedtiaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size0.3-2.5 m high
- Plant groupingFerns & Fern Allies
- LeavesTriangular dark-green fronds, divided 3-4 times, to 1 m wide. Main segments shortly stalked, smaller segments flow onto midrib, leaf-like lobes between; finely hairy below. Margins recurved, scalloped. Midribs shallow grooved. Long, woody red-brown stem.
- FlowersNon-flowering. Spore cases in narrow bands along margins.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsVery common in all but poorly drained soils and heavily shaded sites, found below 1200 m, especially in disturbed areas. Prevalent after fires. Frost tolerant. Full sun, semi shade.
- Garden useA vigorous fern which is both hard to establish and difficult to remove.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
- Aboriginal Use Rhizome - roasted and pulped; medicine - new fronds (stinging ant remedy)
- Related speciesOften confused with Calochlaena which has bright green new tips as a result of colourless hairs, unsymmetric lobed segments and round spore cases at the ends of veins, near margins.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 3 Peter Kinchington ©; 2 Marilyn Bull ©
Plant Communities