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.

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