Pteridium aquilinum

Overview

Kew accepts Pteridium aquilinum in Dennstaedtiaceae, with a native range covering Europe, Macaronesia and parts of Africa and western and northern Asia, including Greece. The current combination was published in 1879; its basionym, Pteris aquilina, dates from 1753.

A branching underground rhizome supports large, triangular, repeatedly divided fronds, which die back in autumn in northern Europe. Sori run along leaflet margins, protected by the rolled margin and an inner membrane.

Marrs and Watt describe how stored rhizome reserves, rapid spring growth, and dense canopy and litter can suppress other plants. Their 2006 account used a broader species concept than Kew now applies, so older wide-range statements need care.

Origins & earliest records

Naming history: von der Decken, Reisen in Ost-Afrika 3(3): 11 (1879), as recorded by Kew; basionym published 1753. Evolutionary origin not established by these sources.

Evidence & interpretation

Kew accepted concept; Marrs and Watt 2006 morphology and ecology.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Biological Flora of the British Isles: Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn

   Marrs and Watt · 2006

   Selected bibliography; morphology, competitive ability and taxonomy discussion.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Accepted name and family follow Kew; the 2006 account used a wider Pteridium concept.

1. FamilyDennstaedtiaceae
2. SpeciesPteridium aquilinum

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Taxonomic databasePteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn | Plants of the World OnlineResearch access: 2026-10-07
2. Peer-reviewed articleBiological Flora of the British Isles: Pteridium aquilinum (L.) KuhnResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A black silhouette of a branched fern frond with many narrow finely divided leaflets.

Attributed silhouette labelled Pteridium aquilinum in the individual source record; retained whole raster shows an outline, without colour, exact locality or diagnostic detail.