Pteridium aquilinum
Common bracken
Pteridium aquilinum, commonly known as bracken, is a widespread, resilient fern found across many global habitats. While historically utilized in various traditional medicinal practices, it contains significant compounds like ptaquiloside. This requires careful handling, as its potential toxicity necessitates scientific caution regarding its medicinal application and consumption.
- Scientific name: Pteridium aquilinum
- Family: Dennstaedtiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Polypodiinae, it falls under the order Polypodiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Dennstaedtiaceae and is identified by the genus Pteridium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Polypodiinae | WCVP |
| Order | Polypodiales | WCVP |
| Family | Dennstaedtiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pteridium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pteridium aquilinum, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 欧洲蕨 (zh-hans) and 歐洲蕨 (zh-hant), while in Polish, it is known as orlica pospolita (pl). It is also called Orlova paprat (bs) in Bosnian and Fento común (gl) in Malayalam.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 欧洲蕨 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 歐洲蕨 | Wikidata |
| pl | orlica pospolita | Wikidata |
| bs | Orlova paprat | Wikidata |
| gl | Fento común | Wikidata |
| de | Adlerfarn | Wikidata |
| ja | ワラビ | Wikidata |
| sv | örnbräken | Wikidata |
| ru | Орляк обыкновенный | Wikidata |
| sr-el | Bujad | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is distributed across several key regions within Northern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark. Its presence also extends to the territories of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, the species is documented within the borders of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range includes the island of Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Pteridium aquilinum or bracken fern, possesses various structures, but its young leaves are particularly notable in certain traditional contexts. These young leaves, often referred to as fiddleheads when they are tightly coiled, emerge from the rhizomes during the spring growing season. While the mature fronds become large, tough, and highly invasive, the tender texture of the young leaves distinguishes them from the more fibrous and chemically complex older foliage.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Young leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pteridium aquilinum has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pterosin B, flavonoids, pterosin B, Aquilide A, Polyphenol.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pterosin B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pterosin B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aquilide A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Polyphenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Prunasin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ptaquiloside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ptaquiloside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pteridium aquilinum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, carcinogenesis, lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| osteoarthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carcinogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lymphoproliferative disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oral candidiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |