Southern bracken fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Southern bracken fern
• Lacy Bracken

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pteridium aquilinum f. glabrata
• Pteridium aquilinum var. africanum
• Cincinalis caudata
• Filix-foemina aquilina var. caudata
• Pteris aquilina var. caudata
• Pteridium aquilinum subsp. caudatum
• Pteris caudata
• Allosorus caudatus
• Ornithopteris caudata
• Pteridium aquilinum var. caudatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Polypodiinae. Within the order Polypodiales, it is classified under the family Dennstaedtiaceae and the genus Pteridium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across parts of North America and Mexico. In the Southeastern United States, its presence is specifically noted within the state of Florida. Moving into Mexico, the species can be found throughout the Central and Northeastern regions of the country. It also occupies territories along the Mexican Gulf coast. Additionally, its distribution extends to the various islands located within the Mexican Pacific.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pteridium caudatum is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 3000 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, allowing it to inhabit diverse environments including anthropized areas (Área Antrópica), campinarana ecosystems, and the Amazonian savanna (Savana Amazônica).

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campinarana, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Pteridium caudatum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its existence over many years through continuous growth cycles. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single season or biennials that require two, this plant establishes long-term presence in its habitat, often spreading through rhizomatous structures that allow it to persist through varying environmental conditions. This perennial nature enables the plant to undergo seasonal fluctuations while maintaining a stable root or rhizome system, ensuring its survival and eventual regeneration in subsequent growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pteridium caudatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with host plants. In terms of its habitat and ecological positioning, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, maintaining a self-supporting structure. It does not exhibit climbing tendencies, such as being a vine or liana, but instead remains a self-supporting, non-climbing species within its natural environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pteridium caudatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include PTAQUILOSIDE, Ptaquiloside Z.

PTAQUILOSIDE

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Ptaquiloside Z

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Pteridium caudatum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry