Shanzhen Vegetable - Bracken
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Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, commonly known as bracken or demon's mushroom, is a perennial herb belonging to the Polygonaceae family. This plant typically grows up to 1 meter in height, with a long, horizontal rhizome that is covered in brown hairs when young. The petioles are deep barley-colored, measuring 40–60 cm in length and up to 1 cm in thickness. They are partially buried in the soil and usually have dense brown hair at the base, while the upper part remains smooth.
The leaves are ovate-triangular or broadly triangular in shape, tri-pinnate, and can reach 30–60 cm in length and 25–55 cm in width. Each leaf has about 10 pairs of pinnae, with the lower pair being the largest. These pinnae are ovate-triangular, measuring 20–30 cm long and 25–25 cm wide, and are themselves two-pinnate. The pinnae meet the rachis at sharp angles, and the ultimate segments (or lobes) are oblong to elliptic, blunt, and often entire or with undulate crenate teeth on the lower 1–3 pairs. The margins are recurved, sparsely villous, and the veins are pinnate, with lateral veins dividing into 2–3 branches. Both surfaces of the leaves are smooth or sparsely hairy along the minor rachis and lobes, and sometimes have a few hairs on the back. Sporangia are linear and located along the edges of the lobes, while the spores are tetrahedral, with three cracks and subtle surface protrusions.
Ecologically, bracken thrives on sunny slopes, forest edges, or open areas at elevations between 500 and 1000 meters. It is widely distributed across the country and also found in temperate and warm temperate regions worldwide. It prefers sunny, shallow mountain areas and is commonly found in sparse coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests.
In terms of cultivation, bracken reproduces through rhizomes or spores. It is a versatile plant with numerous uses. The young fronds are edible and considered a delicacy, often referred to as the "king of mountain dishes." Nutritionally, it contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, ergosterol, choline, terpenes, tannins, and various vitamins. The tender leaves can be used in cold salads, stir-fries, or pickled dishes. In Japan, they are often soaked in straw or wheat straw ash water, then rinsed and dried, resulting in a sweet and cooling dish that helps relieve nervous tension, high blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, bracken has been shown to possess anti-cancer properties.
The rhizome can be processed into fern flour, used as a nutritious food additive, and its fibers can be woven into cables that resist moisture. The whole plant has medicinal value, acting as a sedative, blood pressure regulator, diuretic, antipyretic, and treatment for rheumatism, arthritis, hypertension, and uterine prolapse. It is also used as an insect repellent.
Nutritionally, 100 grams of fresh bracken contains 0.43 grams of protein, 0.39 grams of fat, 3.6 grams of sugar, and 0.45 grams of organic acid. Due to its rich nutrient profile, it can be used in canned vegetables, biscuits, meal replacement powders, and pharmaceutical additives. Regular consumption may help manage conditions such as high blood pressure, dizziness, uterine bleeding, and arthritis, while also offering preventive benefits against measles and flu.