ETYM Old Eng. braken, AS. bracce. Related to Brake.
1. Fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions; SYN. Pteridium esculentum.
2. Large coarse fern often several feet high; essentially weed ferns; cosmopolitan; SYN. pasture brake, brake, Pteridium aquilinum.
Large fern, especially Pteridium aquilinum, abundant in the northern hemisphere. A perennial rootstock throws up coarse fronds.