Bracken fern is common throughout the forest in summer, particularly at the Pourroy Garden. In winter, the bracken ferns die off, but in spring, they grow new stems and leaves and return to their rich green color.
Bracken fern usually grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall. It's more easily recognized than some ferns since the main stem branches to smaller stems. From those smaller stems grow divided pinnae. Plant spores are encased on the underside of the pinnate leaves.
Costanoan women pulled the bracken fern roots from sandy soils in stream channels to be used in basket making.
