Pteridium
Quick Summary
Pteridium, commonly known as bracken, is a widely distributed fern genus found globally in temperate and tropical regions. It is characterized by its extensive underground rootstock, from which fronds emerge, capable of reaching heights of up to 5 meters (16 feet).1
Bracken is known for its aggressive colonization of open ground, making it one of the world's worst weeds and considered an invasive species in some areas. While its fronds have been used for thatching and as fodder, and cooked as vegetables in some parts of Asia, they also contain poisonous and carcinogenic compounds.1
The genus Pteridium is sometimes included within the genus Pteris, which are coarse ferns with a marginal sorus. Pteridium is notable for its ability to spread rapidly via its rhizomes, often succeeding woody vegetation in old fields or cleared forests.23145
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fernAnnotated classification…100 metres [330 feet], in Pteridium), hairy; leaves 2 to 4 times pinnately compound, glabrous or hairy; sori mostly marginal or submarginal, discrete or in a more or less uninterrupted line, the indusium cup-shaped or lateral and elongate, sometimes also with the segment margin reflexed; sporangia with the annulus vertical;…
Read More…100 metres [330 feet], in Pteridium), hairy; leaves 2 to 4 times pinnately compound, glabrous or hairy; sori mostly marginal or submarginal, discrete or in a more or less uninterrupted line, the indusium cup-shaped or lateral and elongate, sometimes also with the segment margin reflexed; sporangia with the annulus vertical;…
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plantAnnotated classification…12,000 species; representative genera include Pteridium, Polypodium, Polystichum, Adiantum, and Cyathea. Class Equisetopsida (horsetails, scouring rushes) Vascular plants; sporophyte
Read More…12,000 species; representative genera include Pteridium, Polypodium, Polystichum, Adiantum, and Cyathea. Class Equisetopsida (horsetails, scouring rushes) Vascular plants; sporophyte
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