Bracken Fern (Pteridium), fam. Dennstaedtiaceae.
This fern forms quite dense thickets in some shady parts of the forest. Young developing leaves are considered edible after short boiling. At least, they represent a traditional dish of Japanese and Far East people. Besides, this fern species is a cosmopolite, growing over very wide area of the Earth. The advantages of using the fern as food is questionable. In small quantities it does offer benefits, due to rich mineral composition. However, its continuous consumption may lead to vitamin B1 deficiency, since the fern contains substances that destroy this vitamin. Anyway, the natural season of these young shoots is quite short.