Pteridium aquilinum

There are two subspecies of bracken fern in NY state. Native throughout the state, P. aquilinum ssp. latiusculum is the one native to the Finger Lakes. It is found in forests, fields, roadsides and similar edge habitats. More common in acidic soils. Bracken fern spreads rhizomatously and is one of the very few ferns not protected in NY State as vulnerable to exploitation. Three to four feet tall and unusual for a fern in preferring full sun. Eastern braken fern tolerates drought (once established with lots of water) and can be very agressive, forming thick colonies in favorable conditions. Underground rhizomes can grow to 20' long. One of the traditional sources of edible fern fiddleheads, it is considered mildly toxic so research prior to eating. Listed as possibly carcinogenic and the toxic compounds can be carried in the milk of animals eating it.