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Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
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Bracken is a tall, common fern with large, triangular leaves. It spreads by long underground stems and can form wide patches. You can see it in many kinds of woodland and open places across Eurasia and North Africa.
Did you know?
- One of the tallest ferns in our area, often 0.8–2 m tall.
- People once used dried bracken as fuel and even as a soap substitute.
About the species
Identification
A tall fern (usually 80–200 cm) with one stiff stem per leaf rising from the ground. The leaf is broadly triangular and divided many times into smaller side-branches and narrow lobes with smooth edges rolled under. Stems arise singly, not from a dense central tuft, and plants often form loose, spreading patches thanks to a creeping stem underground. Late in summer, the underside edge may show brown lines hidden under the rolled margin; other large ferns usually have round brown dots away from the edge.
Plant group
Ferns, horsetails and clubmosses
Habitat
heath forest, herb-rich forest, meadow, yards and roadsides
About the habitat
Grows in light or semi-shaded forests (both broadleaf and conifer), thickets and grassy places, and along clearings, roadsides and other open ground. It can also appear as a persistent garden weed. Common in most of the country; becomes scarce in Lapland.
Sources
Photo: Suntooooth, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pteridium aquilinum (northern bracken fern) 2024-06-25.jpg
Text: Pinkka: Luomuksen 100 lajia -haaste: lapset ja nuoret - Kasvit ja levät. Lähteet: Hämet-Ahti, L., Suominen, J., Ulvinen, T. & Uotila, P.(toim.): Retkeilykasvio, s. 35–38. Helsinki: Luonnontieteellinen keskusmuseo,Kasvimuseo, 1998. UPM Forest Life. Sananjalka. (Viitattu 6.10.2025), CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.4994055
Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4nnensananjalka
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