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Western Bracken Fern
Scientific Name: Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn
Family: Polypodiaceae

"Pteridium aquilinum pubescens", 19789 U.S.D.A. Forest Service., Courtesy of the Hunt Institute

Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: All zones USDA: 3-10 Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade Origin: Pteridium aquilinum is one the plants most extensively distributed in the world, Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens is native to western North America Growth Habits: Deciduous or semideciduous fern, 2 to 10 feet tall (60-300 cm); extensive rhizome system; triangular fronds, 2 or 3 times pinnate Watering Needs: Moderate water to low water Propagation: Rhizome divisions

Many parts of the plant are toxic. Also they have been eaten for ages, their consumption has been linked to cancers and other long term diseases. These ferns also release allelopathic chemicals that prevent or decrease the growth of other plants in their immediate proximity.
The species epithet 'aquilinum' comes from the Latin for "eagle like", while the genus name comes from 'pteris', Latin for 'fern'.