HortData | Pteridium esculentum

Fern / Fern Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

NSW: NS, NT, NC, SP, CS, CT, CC, SS, ST, SC
NT: DG
QLD: CO, KN, KS, LE, PC, WB, DD, MO
SA: EP, NL, SL, KI, SE
TAS: NW, ML, NE, BL, WC, CH, EC, SW, MF, MW, KI, FU
VIC: WA, GR, MI, VP, OP, OR, EH, GP, GH, PR, EG
WA: IR, DA, EY

New Caledonia

New Cal.: Indigenous

New Zealand

Sth. Is.: NE, BU, MA, WE, CA, FI, OT, SO, SI, SnI, AnI
Nth. Is.: TKI, NO, AU, WA, GI, TA, CE, HA, MA, WAI

Norfolk Island

Norfolk Is: Indigenous

Papua New Guinea

PNG: Indigenous

Vanuatu

Vanuatu: Indigenous

Fiji

Fiji: Indigenous

Malaysia

Malaysia: Indigenous

Plant Type

Terrestrial Fern

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Sun - Morning, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium

Sun - Full,

Sun - Morning,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light,

Shade - Medium

Habitat Range(s)

Heath, Open Woodlands, Rainforest - Temperate, Rainforest - Tropical, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Heath,

Open Woodlands,

Rainforest - Temperate,

Rainforest - Tropical,

Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Habitat Zone(s)

Gullies, Heavy soils, Hill Sides, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Open areas, Slopes, Understory, Well drained

Gullies,

Heavy soils,

Hill Sides,

Moist areas,

Moist Valley Slopes,

Open areas,

Slopes,

Understory,

Well drained

Mature Height

1-2m, 2-3m

1-2m,

2-3m

Mature Width

4-5m

Plant Shape

Broad Open Bun

Growth Rate

Very Fast

Life Span

30-50yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (upper)

Green Dark

Frond Colour(s) (lower)

Green Light

Frond Texture (upper)

Glabrous

Dull , Leathery

Dull,

Leathery

Frond Texture (lower)

Strigose

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Length

300-400mm

Frond Shape(s)

Tripinnate

Frond Arrangement

Basal or Radial

Root Properties

Root Type(s)

Rhizome Long-creeping

Root/Rhizome Texture(s)

Hairy

Soil Properties

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Peaty, Organic Matter, Hummus Rich

Clay,

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony,

Peaty,

Organic Matter,

Hummus Rich

Soil pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline,

Alkaline

Soil Condition(s)

Moist

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Fertile , Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Soil Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bird Attraction(s)

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

1st Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

Light

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Landscape Use

Poor

Special Purpose(s)

Groundcover, Pond Edge, Rampant, Sand Binder, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Suckering, Sunny Moist

Groundcover,

Pond Edge,

Rampant,

Sand Binder,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist,

Soil Binder,

Suckering,

Sunny Moist

General Notes

It is a rapid growing fern that will colonise disturbed areas very quickly, forming a dense understory. Quite often treated as a weed because of this and can be difficult to eradicate. Can be poisonous to stock eating the fronds.

Native to a number of countries in the Southern Hemisphere. The Aboriginal people (Eora people) of the Sydney area called bracken fern, Gurgi, ate the roots after they were pounded into a paste and roasted. Juicy stems were rubbed on to relieve stining and itching of insect bites. The Maori's of new Zealand used the rhizomes as a staple food source, especially when out hunting.

In Western Australia tissue culture has been used to build up large numbers of plants for re-vegetation work on mining sites.