Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn

Spice In the field

Family: HYPOLEPIDACEAE

Genus: Pteridium

Catalan common name: Falguera.

Spanish common name: Helecho común.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Cosmopolitan and subcosmopolitan

Uses and properties: Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Oakforest. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Humid soils.

Characteristics: The Bracken fern can reach up to two metres in height, probably it is the autochthonous plant with the largest leaves, can cover large areas due to its rhizomes which allow the plant to extend itself. Lives in cool places, including abandoned fields and rocky areas in the mountains.