A large, coarse fern that grows abundantly in many temperate regions, especially on heaths and in woodland clearings. Known for forming dense colonies and browning in autumn.
From Middle English 'braken,' from Old Norse 'brakni.' Related to words in various Germanic languages referring to this specific type of fern, possibly connected to the idea of 'breaking' due to its brittle fronds.
Bracken is both ancient and modern - it's one of the oldest plant species on Earth, virtually unchanged for millions of years, yet it's also incredibly aggressive and can take over landscapes like a botanical colonizer! Despite being toxic to livestock, humans have used bracken for bedding, roofing, and even food preparation for millennia.
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