The unfurling fronds of Pteridium aquilinum (Common Bracken) #oneadayplant It is said that if sheep (and presumably humans)were to disappear off the earth that Braken would cover the surface of the land in decades. I suspect that this is rubbish, but it does hint to the vigour and unchecked spreading nature of the plant. A UK native fern that grows rampantly via underground rhizomes and through seed. The most successful fern (Genus) in the world, though rarely is it welcomed by humans. It does have some uses including Viking beer brewing and even eating the young curled frond tips (as pictured). NOTE, braken is POISONOUS and you should not eat or use any of it, without knowing exactly what you are doing. While sheep, deer and other animals graze it, Sheep Ticks live on it, waiting for animals and people to pass so they can catch their next meal. This has lead to problems in some areas with Lyme Disease. I like the look of young, emergent Braken (as pictured) and I like it in autumn as it browns set against the yellows and reds of autumn tree leaves. I wouldn’t want it in my garden however. #uknative #uknativefern #wildflower #braken #Pteridium #pteridiumaquilinum #braken #poisonousplants #landscape #countryside #sheep #ticks #beer #vikings #iplantsman #fern #ferns #deer #garden #horticulture #gardeningtips #brewing #lymedisease #gardenadvice (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CASWwUogiRl/?igshid=kdbrw7vtu8ta
