A range of teacher professional learning programs will be developed to accompany the Biodiversity of the Western Volcanic Plains online outreach...
Austral Bracken
Pteridium esculentum
Pteridium esculentum
The rhizome is thick and woody to 15 mm in diameter. It is covered with dark red-brown hairs which are eventually lost. This fern readily colonises disturbed areas and may be difficult to control as small pieces of the rhizome will continue to grow. Growth is stimulated by fire.
| Details | Description |
| Type | Fern |
| Group | Fern |
| Identifying Characteristics | |
| Distinctive Features | A very hard-leaved fern. |
| Life Form Group | Fern |
| Life Form Codes | Ground Fern (GF) |
| EVC types | EVC 649: Stony Knoll Shrubland |
| Native Status | Native to Australia |
| Taxonomy | |
| Phylum | Charophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Order | Polypodiales |
| Family | Dennstaedtiaceae |
| Genus | Pteridium |
| Species | esculentum |
Grows in a wide range of habitats in Victoria and all Australian states. Also occurs on Norfolk Island, New Zealand, Malaysia, Polynesia and New Caledonia.
Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.
Source: Atlas of Living Australia
| Endangered Status | |
| DEPI Advisory List | Not listed |
| FFG Act | Not listed |
| EPBC Act | Not listed |
The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.
The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.
The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.
