Western Brackenfern
Scientific Name: Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / / Pteridophyta / Filicopsida / / Polypodiales / Dennstaedtiaceae / Pteridium Gleditsch ex Sc/ Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | PTAQ |
| Group | Fern |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Forb/herb |
| Native Locations | PTAQ |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Western Brackenfern is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | -43 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | No |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | None |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Medium |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Fertility Requirement | Low |
| Fire Tolerance | High |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 90 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| Moisture Use | Medium |
| pH, Maximum | 7.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.5 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 10912 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 2728 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 60 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 16 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 10 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Tolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Slight |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Active Growth Period | Spring and Summer |
| Bloat | None |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | Green |
| Flower Conspicuous | No |
| Foliage Color | Dark Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Porous |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 6.6 |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Foliage Texture | Medium |
Reproduction
| Vegetative Spread Rate | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Small Grain | No |
| Seedling Vigor | Medium |
| Seed Spread Rate | Moderate |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | Yes |
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | Yes |
| Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Bloom Period | Summer |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Palatable Graze Animal | Low |
| Palatable Browse Animal | Low |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
