Pteridium aquilinium (California Bracken Fern)

Photographs

My photos:

These ferns were growing on Mt Palomar in April. The photo below shows the fiddlenecks.

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Dennstaedtiaceae

In the garden:

This is a course fern with long rhizomes, which are creeping, branched, underground, and clothed with hairs. Fronds are stout, erect, and 1 to 7 feet tall. . It is reasonably drought tolerant; it goes dormant if there is not enough water to sustain foliage. It can tolerate either sun or deep shade. It makes a good slope cover and a beautiful understory for trees. Also, it is most appropriate in an untamed garden. It shades out most weeds. Beware: it’s deep rootstocks can make it a tough, invasive weed.

In the wild:

At lower elevations, it is found in moist places and at higher elevations, it is a common groundcover in forests, up to 10,000 feet. Found mostly during the wet season, as it needs moisture. It dies back yearly (during the winter), but then grows back.

Ethnobotany:

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

Index
Home