Practical
Plants

Pteridium aquilinum esculentum

Bracken

a member of the Pteridium genus in the family Polypodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
1.2 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

There are a number of reports regarding the possible health risks of this plant. The huge quantity of spores released by large areas of bracken are suggested to be implicated in stomach cancers. A recent study suggests that this is not such a problem in Britain as was once believed, the spores are not produced in such high quantities nor do they travel so far due to our normally humid atmosphere. The leaves and roots contain substances that deprive the body of vitamin B1 if they are eaten raw, though they are possibly alright cooked[2]. The leaves are also said to be carcinogenic[21][25].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - rich in a white starch that can be eaten raw or cooked[8]. It can also be dried and ground into a powder[9][3][17][18][22][27][28][2]. The root is very fibrous[6]. When dried, it will store for years[6]. The root contains 60% starch[24]. The dry weight content of starch is between 43 and 72%[6]. This starch can be extracted from the roots and is used in making dumplings which are eaten with soya flour and sugar as a delicacy[7]. Young shoots - raw or cooked[9][3][18][20][27][2][7]. They can be used like asparagus or like spinach[26]. Somewhat flavourless, though they are considered to be a delicacy in Japan[16]. The fronds should be used when less than 20cm long, longer ones have a terrible taste[26][11]. The shoots are somewhat bitter so they are often blanched for a few minutes in boiling water, then left to soak in cold water for two hours before being cooked[16][26]. Although this might well improve the flavour, it will greatly reduce the nutritional value[K]. The shoots should be steeped in lye first[18]. Occasional use should cause no problems, but regular consumption is not advisable because the shoots might be carcinogenic[26][21]. The plant yields an edible saccharine substance[18]. (from the cooking root??).

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Product or use
Sweetener

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The young shoots are diuretic, refrigerant and vermifuge[16][17][27][12]. They have been eaten as a treatment for cancer[15]. The leaves have been used in a steam bath as a treatment for arthritis[15]. A decoction of the plant as been used in the treatment of tuberculosis[15]. A poultice of the pounded fronds and leaves has been used to treat sores of any type and also to bind broken bones in place[15]. The root is antiemetic, antiseptic, appetizer and tonic[15]. A tincture of the root in wine is used in the treatment of rheumatism[12]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of stomach cramps, chest pains, internal bleeding, diarrhoea, colds and also to expel worms[16][17][27][13][15]. The poulticed root is applied to sores, burns and caked breasts[13][15].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiemetic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A glue can be made from the rootstock[24]. A brown dye is obtained from the fronds[19][23][4]. It is green according to another report[4]. The fibrous remnants from edible roots make a good tinder[29]. The rhizome lathers readily in water and can be used as a soap[24]. A decoction of the root has been used as a hair wash[15]. The roots have been rubbed into the scalp in order to promote hair growth[15]. The roots have been pounded to remove the bark, then split into flat bands and used as the black strands of cheap baskets[15]. The ashes of the plant are rich in potassium and could be used as a fertilizer[16]. They are also used in the manufacture of glass (when mixed with sand) and in making soap (when mixed with vegetable oil)[16][24]. The roots contain up to 20% potash in early summer, but this reduces to about 5% in the autumn[16]. The whole plant is a very valuable addition to the compost heap, it is rich in potash and makes an excellent compost for tree seeds[23][27]. Cut twice a year if you want the plants to continue growing, three cuts annually will weaken and eventually kill off the plants. The dried ferns produce a very durable thatch[16]. The leaves are used as a packing material for fruit, keeping it fresh and cool without imparting any colour or flavour[16][22][29]. They are also used as a lining for baskets, fruit drying racks etc and as a bedding[22][29]. The leaves repel insects and can help to prevent rot in the fruits etc[29]. Dried bracken fronds are very useful in the garden as a mulch for somewhat tender plants. This will keep the soil warmer, protect from wind damage and also keep off some of the rain[4, K].

Product or use
Adhesive
Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Biomass
Product or use
Compost
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Lining
Product or use
Packing
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Soap
Product or use
Soap making
Product or use
Stuffing
Product or use
Tinder

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. New Zealand.
Habitat
Forests, heaths and paddocks[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spores can be surface sown in the same way as other ferns but this plant really does not need any help in spreading itself about. Division is also possible but totally unnecessary in most circumstances.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light, acid, deep sandy soil[1]. Dislikes shade according to some reports[3][5] whilst another says that it tolerates full sun but prefers light shade[10]. Prefers a pH in the range 4 to 6[10]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14]. This is an extremely invasive plant and is a noxious weed. Plants can be cut down twice a year to provide compost material, this will not kill the plants. If the plants are cut down three times a year this will gradually weaken and eventually kill them.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

    ↩1↩2

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8

    ↩1↩2

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  11. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  12. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  13. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  14. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  15. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩

  20. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  21. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩1↩2

  22. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  24. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  25. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

  26. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  27. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  28. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

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  29. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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