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brackens
ExplorePlants
brackens
Pteridium
Brackens are tall, green ferns that grow in many places. They have big, feathery leaves that look like hands reaching out. These plants are fun to find in the wild!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The brackens has large, triangular, deeply divided fronds that unfurl from a coiled fiddlehead. Its bright to dark green leaves form dense, widespread patches, often appearing coarse and robust compared to delicate woodland ferns.
KingdomPlantaePhylumArthropodaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyDennstaedtiaceaeGenusPteridium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Brackens is one of the oldest plants, having lived alongside dinosaurs for eons!
It often creates dense 'monocultures,' forming its own unique plant carpets.
Its coiled young fronds are called fiddleheads, a unique spring delicacy!
Tiny spores, not seeds, are carried by wind to help bracken spread globally!
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Colonizer
Brackens can rapidly spread using underground rhizomes, helping it quickly take over new sunny or disturbed areas.
Ability
Fire Survivor
Brackens has deep, fire-resistant rhizomes, allowing it to regenerate quickly even after wildfires.
Ability
Spore Dispersal
Brackens releases tiny spores into the wind, allowing it to spread its offspring far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 100-500 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Ingesting can cause sickness and be fatal to livestock.
shelters
Common Frog
Rana temporaria
Provides dense cover for amphibians to hide from predators.
shelters
Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus
Uses the dense fronds for nesting and protective cover.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Bracken
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't eat any plants you find in the wild unless an adult says it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is brackens?
50-150 cm
How wide does brackens spread?
100-500 cm
Is brackens edible?
No
Is brackens toxic?
High
What is brackens's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is brackens usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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