This species of bracken is common in the mountains and Piedmont, and less common on the coast (where Pteridium pseudocaudatum is more common). Medium to high light shade to full sun; acidic, sandy, moist to dryish soil; long-creeping rhizomes Poison Part: All parts, fiddleheads (curled-up leaves) Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fronds erect or often inclined to one side, broadly triangular, usually divided into 3 sections, each with small, elongated segments with minute spore-sacs along the margin. The terminal segment of pinnule long and narrow; often 6 to 15 times longer than wide.
Poisoning commonly occurs in horses having inadequate forage, or when the plant is incorporated into hay. All parts of the plant are toxic in both green and dry forms. The toxic component causes a thiamine deficiency (an essential nutrient for central nervous system function and metabolism); clinical signs develop after one to two months of chronic ingestion, and can worsen over a two to three day period. Effects include weight loss, fever, incoordination/ excessive staggering (known as "bracken staggers"), the developement of a wide stance with arched back, severe muscle tremors, inability to get up which could lead to serious injury. Death may occur within one to 2 days of onset if not treated.
Toxic principle
Thiaminase inhibitor. Milk from cows that have ingested this fern may be toxic to humans.