Polypodiaceae FAMILY

Pteridium aquilinum esculentum

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

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[ 102 Title Native Harvests. Publication Author Kavasch. B. Publisher Vintage Books Year 1979 ISBN 0-394-72811-4 Description Another guide to the wild foods of America. ]. The leaves are also said to be carcinogenic[ 65 Title A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. Publisher Wolfe Year 1984 ISBN 0723408394 Description Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far. , 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ].

Botanical Description

Pteridium aquilinum esculentum is a Fern up to 1.20 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeAustralia - New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. New Zealand.

HabitatForests, heaths and paddocks[ 193 Title Wild Food Plants of Australia. Publication Author Low. T. Publisher Angus and Robertson. Year 1989 ISBN 0-207-14383-8 Description Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast ]. Forms extensive colonies in damp sandy areas, pasture, on roadside verges and forest margins, in open sclerophyll forest and in forest clearings[ 286 Title Flora of Australia Publication Author Website http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource. ].