Bracken

摘要

Bracken is a rhizomatous species of fern belonging to the Dennstaedtiaceae family that are characterised by large, highly-divided fronds. Fossil records show that it has been on this earth for 55 million years and for almost half of that time has enjoyed worldwide distribution. Originally classified as a single species; Pteridium aquilinum, bracken has now been re-classified into about ten species. It is a survivor - able to adapt to a wide range of climates and conditions, so it needs to be kept incheck for the benefit of the environment, wildlife and those farmers whose livelihood depends on grazing livestock on clean pastures. In this short article I shall look at the plant; how it spreads, its positive and negative attributes and measures available to control it.