Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) Bracken Fern’s overall shape is triangular, with larger fronds near the base of the stem, reducing to a point at the end. Different from Sword Fern, a second set of stems branches off the main stem, and leaflets appear on the secondary stems. The leaflets are leathery, and often die back in the winter. It is not uncommon to see large areas of dried-out red-brown bracken fern well into Spring.

Field ID Tips · Overall triangle shape · The triangle shape is green in the late spring, but brown from last year’s dead leaves through much of the winter and spring. Links: Calphotos Wikipedia Mountain Home to West Point Ferns

Notice bracken fern’s distinctive triangle shape. <<<PICTURE OF DRIED-OUT BROWNISH BRACKEN FERNS>>>