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Michigan native ferns and woodland wildflowers

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Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Bracken thrives in habitats where most ferns would perish: sunny, dry areas with poor, sandy soil. Its fronds are large and leathery, and they tend to arch backward to an almost horizontal position. The unfurling fiddleheads have three parts, which resemble an eagle's talons. Bracken spreads by runners and can quickly cover large areas.

Sun: full sun to part shade
Soil: sand or loam, acidic to neutral
Moisture: dry to moist
Height: 1½-3½ feet
Uses: In most cases, bracken is not suitable as a garden plant because of its invasive nature. It can, however, be used in areas that provide barriers to its spread, such as beds surrounded by pavement or buildings. Bracken is useful for restoration of large areas with poor soil, such as pine barrens. Bracken fiddleheads are a traditional food in some cultures, but they are now known to be carcinogenic and should not be eaten.

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Photographs copyright © 2004-2008 Richard R. Neubig
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