FNPS Plant Database
Pteridium aquilinum
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Dennstaedtiaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam, Lime Rock
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.
Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
- This is one of the world's most widespread species. Multiple subspecies exist within Florida with two being widespread.
- Because of its tolerance of acidic soils, this is sometimes used for reclamation of acidic soil areas.
- Adapted to relatively frequent fire.
Citations:
Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Missouri Botanical Garden. (Undated). Pteridium aquilinum - Plant Finder. ( https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285684 ). Accessed 2026. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.






