Story: Poisonous plants and fungi

Bracken fern

Bracken fern

Bracken is a common fern found in open sites throughout New Zealand. Cattle and horses grazing on young bracken fronds are susceptible to poisoning. Cattle develop internal bleeding and horses lose co-ordination. The creeping rhizome (underground stem) was an important food for Māori, who harvested it in late winter. They pounded roasted rhizomes to extract a starchy flour. The young shoots were also eaten. It is now known that bracken contains chemicals that cause cancer, and should not be eaten at all.

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Photograph by Iona Wassilieff

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Poisonous plants and fungi - Poisonous plants used for food', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9778/bracken-fern (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 24 Sep 2007