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Western Bracken Fern, Pasture Brake

Bracken Fern is commonly found in open woods, pastures, and in sandy soils. It is the most widely distributed fern in the world and considered by some to be the most widespread of all vascular plants with the exception of a few annual weeds. It is so tenacious that it regenerated in 1 meter thick volcanic ash only 1-2 years after the Mt. St. Helens' volcanic eruption in Washington. "Bracken Poisoning" is a problematic weed in many areas because it is potentially fatal to livestock. Its toxins (cyanide-producing glycoside and thiaminase) cause fatal Vitamin B1 deficiency. It is also known to be allelopathic. That is, it kills the competing surrounding plants with toxins leached from the plant tissues.

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