The history and ethnobotany of bracken

Abstract

The fossil record shows that Pteridium has been present in all the temperate stages of the Quaternary, but that for most of this period it formed a component of the herb layer of deciduous woodlands. Bracken did not begin to reach its present abundance and importance until widespread forest clearance began with the arrival of Neolithic man about 5000 years ago. Some of the factors that have played a role in the history of bracken are illustrated by a discussion of the spread of bracken in Scotland that occurred contemporaneously with the change from cattle‐ to sheep‐farming in the 18th century. It is shown that man has played a dominant role in influencing the spread of bracken in Scotland, but that bracken was considered of great positive economic value. The ethnobotany of bracken is discussed, and it is suggested that it was once an important source of potash for the glass, soap and bleaching industries. The use of the plant as fuel, thatch, litter, compost and food, and for medicinal purposes is considered, and mention is made of various minor uses of the plant. Unfortunately it is difficult to estimate the amount of bracken consumed by these various employments, but it is suggested that the increased abundance of the plant may have been exaggerated because what was once a useful resource has now become a pest.

An Evolutionary and Ecological Perspective of the Insect Fauna of Ferns

“…Bracken fern is probably of Cretaceous origin (G. Cooper-Driver, personal communication), but the spread of bracken did not occur until disturbances created by man began about 5,000 yr ago (Watt 1976). During the last 1,000 yr bracken's occupation of new habitats in Scotland and England has been explosive (Rymer 1976). The large number of insect species utilizing bracken is predicted by Strong's hypothesis that increases in range in ecological time are related to increases in utilization by phytophagous insects.…”

Effects of elevated CO2, nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and photosynthesis of two upland perennials: Calluna vulgaris and Pteridium aquilinum

“…Both species are found throughout the UK This encroachment has occurred in the past largely uplands where they dominate large areas of the because of deforestation, changes in upland land landscape. Competition between bracken and management practices and overgrazing by sheep heather often occurs at boundaries where moorlands (Rymer, 1976). However, Smith (1990) suggests that covered by each species meet.…”

Plant choice in the construction of night nests by gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

“…Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega infrequently use both Ipomea and Pteridium as the main nest plants [Casimir, 1979]. Pteridium has historically been used in human beds [Rymer, 1976], and is currently used by local people in the Kigezi region of Uganda as a bedding material for its flexibility and comfort (Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation field assistants, personal communication). The leaves, bark, and flowers of Ipomea sp.…”