Key identifying traits
- Leaves (fronds) are
leathery, deep green, triangular and reaching up to 6’ tall
- Brown spores are produced on
the hairy undersides of each frond segment late in the growing
season
- Rolled leaf margins protect
the spores until ripe
- New fronds are rolled up
appearing as fiddlenecks in the early spring
Biology and ecology
- A perennial plant spreading
by hairy, creeping woody rhizomes and the spores
- Plants die back to root
crowns each fall
- It is toxic to most
livestock and appears to be cumulative in horses and sheep taking
some time for symptoms to appear after ingestion; remains toxic in
hay
- This plant is a native
species found throughout most of the U.S. & has a colorful history
of a variety of uses from building materials to medicines
- Usually not considered
aggressive but has been found to be invasive in fields and pastures
as well as other areas where soil pH is neutral or acidic
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; start monitoring early in the season
Biological – No known
biological control in our area
Cultural – Plant competitive
grass or other cover crop
Mechanical – The plant can
survive burning and cutting because new fronds will arise from the
deeply buried rhizomes but persistent mowing or tillage can eventually
wear out the rhizomes
Chemical – Brackenfern is resistant to many herbicides but
dicamba or glyphosate are recommended for control: refer to the
PNW Weed Management handbook
for specific chemical recommendations |
© 2004, Ben Legler:, WTU Herbarium, U of Washington
|
