Bracken fern

The bracken fern is considered a rather beautiful perennial plant. It is widely used not only for interesting garden decoration, but also as a product for food consumption, and also in folk medicine. The fern got this name due to its foliage, or rather its shape, since in these triple fronds an eagle's wing is often seen, which is located on the coat of arms of our country. Some even see the initials of Jesus Christ in this fern.

Bracken fern description and varieties

The bracken fern is characterized as a herbaceous perennial of the Fern class. He is a representative of the Dennstedtie family. This plant can reach a height of 40 centimeters to one meter. It has a smooth barrel, scaly free. The fern rhizome is quite developed and can grow in absolutely all directions, and also consists of horizontal and vertical black shades of underground sprouts. Young shoots are formed on such a creeping root system every year. The leaves of this fern are endowed with a pale green tint. They can grow up to 70 centimeters and have a triangular, feather-like shape. They have a very rigid and dense structure. The stepchildren of this plant are located at a distance of up to 20 centimeters from each other. Initially, they have a swirling shape, rather than resembling a snail shell. The leaves of this fern are arranged in pairs on the branches, and only the apical shoot is single. The leaflets have blunt ends and lobed at the base, lanceolate. Segments with tight and strong edges are wrapped. And on the lowest pair there are nectaries, which form and secrete sweetish water, much loved by ants. The root system of this fern is so large and strong that it can easily endure very strong frosts and fires. Some scientists assure us that this fern is considered a multi-type species, while other botanists are sure that there are only about 10 of them. They are all quite similar, although most of them can be found in the wild. Let's consider some types:

- Pteridium aquilinumvar. Latiusculum

Can be seen growing in the pastures of Ireland. A herbaceous perennial that has a main stem reaching a diameter of one centimeter. The leaves of this species are rather large and triangular in shape. In the autumn, the green part of the fern dies off. The botanist from America M.I. Fornald specializing in seed plants and ferns.

- Pteridium aquilinumvar. Freei

For the first time, the botanist-pteridologist from America W.R. Maxson.

- Pteridium aquilinumvar. Pseudocaudatum

This herbaceous plant was described by the American botanist, writer and naturalist W.N. Klute. The fern of this subspecies likes to grow in sufficiently lighted places and open areas.

- Pteridium aquilinumvar. Latiusculum

This subspecies can be found growing in Japan, China, Canada, USA, Mexico and northern Europe. The first person to introduce this species is a botanist, mycologist, teacher of geology L.M. Underwood.

In addition to these described subspecies, there are also such varieties as Pinetorum and Pteridium aquilinumsubsp. Decompositum Lamoureux ex J.A. Thomson.

It is believed that this fern variety is quite suitable for food, and in order not to accidentally confuse it with other poisonous species, it is imperative to know the main distinctive features:

- The height of this plant can reach up to one and a half meters, and the bush does not form this fern.

- In the fern, the sprouts have the peculiarity of breaking through the soil one by one. Moreover, the distance between them remains about 15 centimeters. In this plant, the shoots begin to come out all together, at the same time, and from one point.

- The stems of the plant have a clean and smooth structure, which lacks scales, villi and leaves.

It is very difficult to recognize the edible fern in the forest in the spring. After all, the stems are very similar in appearance. An addition will be the presence of old leaves of this fern that have survived the winter period. They have a fairly clear geometric pattern, which each species has its own. This fern species has leaves at the edges of the most round shape. Those areas where this type of fern grows should be remembered from the summer season, at a time when hiking in the forest for berries and mushrooms is quite frequent.

There are many legends in the world associated with the fern flower. There is a rumor that he has a peculiarity to appear on the night of Ivan Kupala. And, as the legend says, a treasure is buried in this place. And the unclean power keeps and protects the flower. The one who finds this flower, happiness awaits him throughout his life. No one has ever found this flower, although in our time people believe this legend. But the scientist refutes all legends and speculations, claiming that the fern does not give color. The plant can reproduce only by spores, and not by seed. On the sheet, more precisely on its lower part, there are small balls of a green or brown hue. It is in them that disputes ripen - these are sporangia.

Bracken fern breeding

Bracken fern is characterized as asexual plant, therefore there are several methods of its reproduction, these are: shoots, division of rhizomes and spores.

The propagation of this plant by the vegetative method means the formation of rooted cuttings, which can then be separated from the main one and transplanted to their permanent place of growth. First of all, rather long and fluffy branches of the fern are chosen. They are bent to the ground and pressed a little with something heavy, such as a stone. This should be done in the spring, when there is an active vegetative growth. After a while, the roots start to shoot the arrow.

In the wild, it is with the help of spores that lichens multiply, but at home this method is considered a rather long and painstaking process. In the month of September, the leaf is cut and dried. After the spores are peeled off onto a piece of paper. The dried material for sowing remains stored until the winter season in a sealed package. And from January to February, they begin to prepare containers for seedlings. For this, the containers are filled with a mixture of peat and well moistened. Spores are poured out and covered with glass. In order for the spores to germinate, the containers are placed in a fairly bright and warm place, while not forgetting to constantly spray with warm water and ventilate. After about two months, green moss begins to form on the surface of the soil, at which point the glass is removed. When the seedlings have grown, they begin to be planted in separate containers, and by May the seedlings are completely ready for planting in an open space.

The simplest and at the same time effective way of reproduction of this fern species is the division of the roots. For this procedure, an adult sufficiently bush with a well-developed rhizome is taken, which can quickly recover after this pruning. In the spring, when the probability of frost has already disappeared, you can start digging bracken ferns. The root system is divided into parts with one and two buds. The cut area should be treated with crushed activated carbon, and then immediately planted in a fairly moist soil.

Where does the bracken fern grow

The most favorite place for this fern to grow is light forests. It can be seen on all continents, except of course Antarctica. The plant does not grow in deserts and steppes. The fern loves sandy soils, coniferous forests and deciduous ones, where birches grow. Often this plant prefers to be on open heights, thicket of bushes and forest edges. This fern clogs the grass at the edge and forms solid thickets in a small area. Bracken fern can often be seen growing in clearings, pastures, plantations, abandoned fields. And during haymaking in some countries, this plant is considered a rather difficult weed to remove. It can grow in the mountains, but only at a level not higher than the mid-mountain zone. In our country, this type of fern grows independently in such regions as: Siberia, the Urals, the European part and the Far East. This type of plant grows well and develops in light and poor soils, and also grows well in limestone.

Let's figure out such an issue as collecting ferns. This plant is harvested in the middle of the spring. If you look at folk signs, then this period comes when the lily of the valley begins to bloom, or the bird cherry fades. The collection must be carried out with young, new shoots, they break quite easily. If the sprouts have become stronger and denser, and begin to bend, then the collection must be completed. The stem should be 20 to 25 centimeters long and about one centimeter thick. They are cut off at the very base, so that the culture can continue its development and growth. These shoots should be tied in bunches. The sprouts of the plant harden rather quickly, which is why they need to be made quickly enough. In separate clutches, these shoots collected are salted, and each layer is sufficiently sprinkled with table salt. Further, the oppression is covered from above and oppression is installed. In this position, the shoots are about 15-20 days. And only after this time the tub opens and the brine is drained. After that, the upper layers are put on the contrary down, and the lower ones in their place - on top. The brine is poured again, but this time the amount of salt is made about five times less. Before use, this salted fern should be soaked in water for about 7 hours, and then boiled for about five minutes.

This fern species is harvested differently in different regions. Consider them:

- Leningrad region.

Harvesting of this plant in this region begins around mid-May and continues to do so for about a month. Although the exact date is subject to change, it all depends on the weather in the area. A signal that the fern is suitable for harvesting is a peculiar crunch. The period of this process is not long. That is why the plant is allowed to be frozen in batches, if it is impossible to immediately carry out processing. The salting is made for longer storage.

- Moscow region

In the Moscow region, this type of fern grows almost everywhere: in deciduous plantings, pine forests, in parks and gardens. For harvesting this plant, only new, young shoots are suitable. That is why the collection is carried out at an early stage of the growing season. This must be done before the leaves bloom, and the shoots are still quite soft. For this process, the period from the 15th of May to the first days of June is suitable.

- Siberia

In this region, the collection begins at the very end of May. It is required to monitor the sprouts in the forest in the spring, as the exact date of collection is not available. Shoots begin to crawl out of the soil together with the first flowers, then the shoots grow to the desired size.

- Ural

As mentioned above, this fern can be seen throughout our country. Also in the Urals, this plant can be found on light slopes, in forests.For consumption, they begin to collect it here from the second half of May, and this lasts about 25 days.

Bracken fern care

Although this type of fern is considered a forest crop, a large number of gardeners are engaged in its cultivation in their personal plots. The plant is widely used in landscape compositions. But before growing, you need to find out the main rules for caring for a fern:

- During the acquisition of an adult plant, it is required to carefully examine its appearance. The leaves of the plant should be whole, green in color, without damage, dry and with a yellow tint of the lobes. Before planting, the acquired fern should be left in a shaded place for a day so that the culture can restore its strength.

- The best place for this fern to grow is the shaded area of ​​the garden. Thus, the leaves of the plant will have the most intense green hue, while in the sun the color of the leaves is much paler.

- To grow this plant, you need a fairly light and medium-fertilized soil. A mixture of peat, fine sand and deciduous soil is great. This fern grows well, growing in lime-rich soil. But this plant should definitely not be planted in loam.

- In an open space, this plant can quite easily do without insulation for the winter. The fern leaves fall off, but its root system is so deep that no frost is afraid of it.

- It is considered very important to keep the soil constantly wet. Watering should be carried out immediately after the soil dries out, but at the same time, avoid stagnation of the liquid.

- Fertilizers should be applied in doses. Fertilizers are applied for the first time when the first shoots are formed. For this, special mineral complexes are used. The dosage must be observed as stated in the instructions.

Very often, this fern is used to decorate swamps and streams, various reservoirs, since this plant is considered to be quite hygrophilous.

Diseases and pests

This type of fern has a very high level of immunity to various diseases and infections, although it is often attacked by harmful insects. The most dangerous of them are: scale insects, thrips and whiteflies. To combat them, insecticide treatment is used. You just need to follow the correct dosage so as not to accidentally harm the fern.

Conclusion

Very often you can hear the name of this fern as Far Eastern. This is because it is in the Far East that this plant is very highly appreciated. This fern grows everywhere, even in Siberia and the Urals, in the central part of our country. This plant is harvested and engaged in harvesting it. Moreover, it can be found both in the forest and grown in your personal plot. In special care, the plant is not required, it may well grow independently and without help. And its crown can develop quite rapidly.