Bracken fern, Fiddlehead Fern
Pteridium aquilinum var. esculentum

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

What it is like

A fern. It grows on land. The rhizome is long and creeping. It is covered with fine pale brown hairs. The fronds are large. They are divided 3-4 times. The lowest pair of leaflets are larger than the others. The young leaves curl like a fiddle-head before they unfold. The spore bodies are around the edge. Now Pteridium esculentum

Where it is found

A temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1200-3400 m altitude. In southern China it grows at about 1,000 m above sea level. It grows in open, damp hillsides. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Worldwide

How it is used for food

The young tender fronds (fiddleheads) are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The underground stems or roots have been eaten as a famine food. They can be roasted and ground into flour. CAUTION: The young fronds contain a cancer causing substance called ptaquiloside. Cooking or blanching may remove this but normally bracken should not be eaten regularly.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It has been used as a minor food in many countries. It is still used significantly in Japan and Korea. It is available imported in Chinese stores in Australia.

Edible parts

Rhizome, fronds, leaves, roots, fiddleheads, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Adlerfarn, Bujad, Felce aquilina, Gougere aigle, Isili, Kosari, Lilele, Pako shida, Pako, Phak kuut, Sawarabi, Zenmai

Synonyms

Pteris aquilina L.; Pteris esculentum G. Forst.; Pteris lanuginosa Bory ex Willd.; Pteridium esculentum (G. Forst.) Nakai;