Pteridium aquilinum
| Pteridium aquilinum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Pteridium aquilinum (common name: bracken)
Propagation: 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 usually totally unnecessary.
Cultivation: Prefers a light, acid, deep sandy soil[1]. Dislikes shade according to some reports[2][3] whilst another says that it tolerates full sun but prefers light shade[4]. Prefers a pH in the range 4 to 6[4].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].
This is an extremely invasive plant and is a noxious weed. It is one of the most widespread plants in the world, being found in all parts of the globe other than the extreme north and south[6]. 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.
Range: Most areas of the globe, including Britain, but absent from the Arctic and temperate S. America.
Habitat: Heath, woodland and grassland. A common and highly invasive weed of acid soils[7], it is rarely found on limestone or wet peats[3].
Edibility: Root - cooked. It can be dried and ground into a powder[8][2][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The root is very fibrous so traditionally it was baked after being dried, the outer skin was peeled off and the roots pounded into a powder with sticks so that the inner fibres could be removed[16][17]. The dried root will store for years[16]. The root contains 60% starch[18]. The dry weight content of starch is between 43 and 72%[16]. 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[19]. The root has a somewhat constipating effect upon the body so is best eaten with foods that have a laxative quality[17].
Young shoots, harvested when still unfurling, can be eaten raw or cooked[8][2][10][20][12][14][19][15]. They can be used like asparagus or like spinach[7][15]. Somewhat flavourless, though they are considered to be a delicacy in Japan[6]. The fronds should be used when less than 20cm long, longer ones have a terrible taste[7][21]. 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[6][7]. Although this might well improve the flavour, it will greatly reduce the nutritional value[K]. The shoots should be steeped in lye first[10]. Occasional use should cause no problems, but regular consumption is not advisable because the shoots might be carcinogenic[7][22].
The plant yields an edible saccharine substance[10]. (from the cooking root??).
Medicinal: The young shoots are diuretic, refrigerant and vermifuge[6][9][12][23]. 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[23]. 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[6][9][12][24][15]. The poulticed root is applied to sores, burns and caked breasts[24][15].
Usage: A glue can be made from the rootstock[18].
A brown dye is obtained from the fronds[25][26][27]. It is green according to another report[27].
The fibrous remnants from edible roots make a good tinder[28].
The rhizome lathers readily in water and can be used as a soap[18]. 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[6]. They are also used in the manufacture of glass (when mixed with sand) and in making soap (when mixed with vegetable oil)[6][18]. The roots contain up to 20% potash in early summer, but this reduces to about 5% in the autumn[6].
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[26][12]. 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[6].
The leaves are used as a packing material for fruit, keeping it fresh and cool without imparting any colour or flavour[6][11][28]. They are also used as a lining for baskets, fruit drying racks etc and as a bedding[11][28]. The leaves repel insects and can help to prevent rot in the fruits etc[28].
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[6][K].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Known 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 B
Also Known As: Pteris aquilina.
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References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Harris, Ben. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health, 1973.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Freethy, Ron. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press, 1985.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Sweet, Muriel. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co, 1962.
- ↑ Saunders, Charles. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1976.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Kavasch, Barrie. Native Harvests. Vintage Books, 1979.
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 15.12 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Turner, Nancy. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples. UBC Press Vancouver, 1995.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
- ↑ Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana, 1979.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Ahrendt, Leslie. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 1961.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Carruthers, S. Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading, 1986.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.