Posted by Kathy_S on July 30, 2006 at 02:42:53 from 69.81.63.149 user kschmid.
In Reply to: Re: Bracken posted by John Wilson on July 30, 2006 at 02:12:07:
I think bracken is carcinogenic, though, and contains toxins including those that produce hydrogen cyanide. It's a fabulous competitor, with lots of chemicals for discouraging other plants as well as insects, larger herbivores, bacteria and fungi. Maybe that's why the Billies found it useful for poultices? As my doctoral advisor used to say, "There's a reason you don't see many bugs on ferns."