Bracken is a type of large fern that grows wild in forests, on hillsides, and in open countryside. Unlike the delicate ferns you might see in a garden or as a houseplant, bracken grows tall and spreads aggressively, sometimes covering entire hillsides with its feathery green fronds. Each frond can reach several feet high, creating dense thickets that other plants struggle to grow through.

Bracken thrives in poor soil where many plants can't survive, and it spreads through underground stems called rhizomes that can extend for yards beneath the surface. This makes it almost impossible to remove completely. Farmers and gardeners often consider bracken a troublesome weed because it takes over pastures and crowds out other vegetation.

In autumn, bracken turns brilliant shades of copper and gold before dying back for winter. While beautiful to look at, bracken is poisonous to livestock and humans if eaten. When you're hiking through woods or across moors and see those tall, spreading ferns forming a rustling carpet underfoot, you're likely walking through bracken.