Download Brackenfern - Stevens County

Brackenfern
Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens
Fern Family
Key identifying traits
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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
All photos © 2004, Ben Legler:, WTU
Herbarium, U of Washington
”hairy” underside of frond w/brown spores
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
Where found – Scattered areas throughout Stevens County and can be a problem in sandier
soils especially where combined with sub-irrigation.
Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board, December 2006