Pteridium Aquilinum Research Articles

Response of total phenols, flavonoids, minerals, and amino acids of four edible fern species to four shading treatments.

Total phenols, flavonoids, minerals and amino acids content were investigated in leaves of four fern species grown under four shading treatments with different sunlight transmittance in 35% full sunlight (FS), 13% FS, 8% FS and 4% FS. The leaves of four fern species contain high levels of total phenols and flavonoids, abundant minerals and amino acids, and these all were strongly affected by transmittance. Total phenols and flavonoids content were significantly positively correlated with transmittance, while minerals and total amino acids content were significantly negatively correlated with transmittance, a finding that supports research into how higher light intensity can stimulate the synthesis of phenols and flavonoids, and proper shading can stimulate the accumulation of minerals and amino acids. Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro (MS) had the highest total phenols content, Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching (AM) showed the highest total amino acids, total essential amino acids content, Osmunda cinnamomea (L) var. asiatica Fernald (OCA) exhibited the highest total non-essential amino acids and flavonoids content. Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desy.) Underw. ex Heller (PAL) exhibited the highest minerals content. This research can provide a scientific basis for the cultivation and management of those four fern species.

ТАКСОНОМИЯ И КЛЮЧИ ДЛЯ ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ СПОРОВЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА

For the first time, an attempt was made to make a taxonomic classification of vascular spore Lyco-phytes and Pteridophytes of the Western Caucasus based on published phylogenetic data. The pro-posed classification of vascular spores represents a modern approach to the allocation of taxa of different ranks, which is based on monophilia as the main criterion. The article analyzes the incon-sistency of information about pteridoflora according to the data of floral reports for the Caucasus and the region. The summary of spore vascular plants of the Western Caucasus is represented by 2 monophyletic classes, 7 monophyletic orders, 11 families, 31 genera and 74 species. Keys for defining families, subfamilies, genera, and species are provided. The problem is considered Pteridium aquilinum and Pteridium tauricum. New taxa are given: Pteridium pinetorum C. N. Page et Mill, Pteridium aquilinum subsp. brevipes, Dryopteris caucasica, Dryopteris pseudorigida (Christ.) A. Askerov, Dryopteris remota (A. Br. ex Döll) Druce.

Diagnosis of the incidence of enzootic Hematuria Bovina of bovinos in production of three winning areas

Enzootic bovine hematuria (HEB) is a disease caused by exposure to, and consumption of pastures invaded by common fern (Pteridium aquilinum), also known as llashipa. The objective of the research was to identify the cattle areas of Cantón Chilla, establishing a relationship between their location and the incidence of enzootic bovine hematuria. Three zones were studied, each with four sectors, which were grouped according to their height - Zone A (300 - 999 masl), Zone B (1000 - 1999 masl) and Zone C (2000 - 3300 masl). The presence of llashipa in the surveyed areas corresponds to: 20% in Zone A, 60% in Zone B, and 50% in Zone C; data corresponding to recurrent invasive weeds in pastures. The urinary test strip techniques (TRU) and microscopic analysis of the urinary sediment (AMSU) were applied for the analysis of the samples. The results found were 36.1% (130/360) for AMSU and 5.28% (19/360) for TRU; whereupon the two methods demonstrate the existence of this disease in the canton of Chilla. Regarding the relation of the cellular elements variables (AMSU and TRU) and livestock areas (A, B and C), by means of the Chi square statistic test, it shows that the significance value p is less than 0.005, which indicates that there is a connection between the variables. It is concluded that the sectors grouped in the different livestock areas of Canton Chilla are endemic to enzootic bovine hematuria according to the height at which they are located.

A novel model concept for modelling the leaching of natural toxins: results for the case of ptaquiloside.

Phytotoxins are a large class of highly diverse emerging environmental contaminants that have been detected at high concentrations in plants, water and soils. This study presents a novel modelling approach for assessing the fate of plant toxins in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, developed for the specific case of ptaquiloside (PTA), a carcinogenic phytotoxin produced by Pteridium aquilinum. The mechanistic model DAISY has been adapted for reproducing phytotoxin dynamics in plants, covering processes such as toxin generation in the canopy, wash off by precipitation and toxin recovery in the canopy after depletion events. Transport of the toxin in the soil was simulated by the advection-dispersion equation assuming weak sorption and degradation for two Danish soils. The model simulates realistic toxin contents in the plant during the growing season, where the actual PTA content is dynamic and a function of the biomass. An average of 48% of the PTA produced in the canopy is washed off by precipitation, with loads in the soil often in the order of mg m-2 and up to a maximum of 13 mg m-2 in a single rain event. Degradation in the soil removes 99.9% of the total PTA input to the soil, while only 0.1% leaches into the soil. The median annual flux-averaged predicted environmental concentrations during single events are often in the order of μg L-1, reaching up to 60 μg L-1 for the worst-case scenario. The simulated results for both degradation and wash off are of the same order of magnitude as the published data. Based on the results, we conclude that DAISY, with the newly implemented processes, is a useful tool for understanding, describing and predicting the fate of PTA in the soil. Further work comparing the model results with real data is needed for the calibration and validation of the model.

Phytoremediation potential of Pteridium aquilinum and the toxicity of Nickel on Clarias gariepinus juvenile

A laboratory experiment was carried out to assess the phytoremediation potential of Pteridium aquilinum and the toxicity of nickel on C. gariepinus juvenile in six treatments (TWP0, TWP1, TWP2, TWP3, TWP4, TWP5) each having two replicates in static renewable bioassay for 21 days. Pteridium aquilinum was harvested between 6 – 8 am within the University of Ibadan to ensure they did not dry up before reaching the laboratory. The ferns along with the soil around their roots were placed in five plastic basins of 100 L water – holding capacity with each containing 80 L of water in the laboratory for 7 days to allow the soil to gradually detach from their roots. Rhizomes having 3 – 5 newly grown shoots were carefully transferred into each of the 12 glass aquaria containing the solution of the toxicant with concentrations of 10, 7.5, 5.6, 3.2, 1.8, 0 mg/L Nickel, respectively. Ten juvenile of C. gariepinus per replicate were introduced into the test solution and the experiment was monitored for 21 days, while the fish were fed to satiation. The test solution was renewed, while water, plant, fish and blood samples were collected every 7 days for analyses according to standard procedures. Water, blood, plant and fish samples were analysed for Temperature (oC), Dissolved Oxygen, DO (mg/L); Packed Cell Volume (PCV, %), Red Blood Cells (RBC, 106 mm-3); Aspartate Transaminase (AST, IU.L-1), Alanine Transaminase (ALT, IU.L-1) and Nickel (mg.L-1). Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Significantly highest (27.5±2.23) and least (24.53±4.23) Temperature, DO (4.56±0.91, 3.01±0.61), PCV (25.70±0.40, 9.53±0.50) and RBC (14.00±0.11, 6.74±0.43) were obtained in TWP1 and TWP0, while highest (38.54±0.50) and least (10.02±1.01) AST and ALT (66.54±1.50, 14.54±0.16) were recorded in TWP1 and TWP0, respectively. Mean Nickel concentration in Water ranged from < 0.01 to 0.21±0.01, Plant (< 0.01, 0.42±0.01) and Fish (0.02±0.01, 0.29±0.01) in TWP0 and TWP1 in the order plant > fish > water. Due to the exposure of C. gariepinus juvenile to Nickel toxicity, it survival was threatened because of an increased level of ALT. Nickel concentration in water was lower in water compared with its levels in P.aquilinum and fish. Keywords: Phytoremediation, Nickel toxicity, Toxicology, Contaminant, Blood biochemistry.

Раритетна компонента лісових фітоценозів Лісостепу України

Наводиться аналіз проблеми щодо актуальності питань інвентаризації раритетної компоненти лісової флори України, її природно-зональних та адміністративно-обласних спектрів. Визначено причини раритетності видів лісової флори та запропоновано заходи щодо їхньої охорони. Для організації моніторингу чисельності та поширення судинних рослин міжнародного, національного та регіонального статусів охорони як складової системного моніторингу лісів досліджено стан популяцій раритетних видів рослин та їхнього розповсюдження в лісових фітоценозах Лісостепу (рясність-покриття та участь у складі рослинного покриву, розповсюдження в межах адмінистративних областей, Лісостепової лісогосподарської області та чотирьох її округів). Об’єкти досліджень – ділянки моніторингу 1-го рівня (642 ділянки) у межах Лісостепу України.

Evaluation of corrosion inhibition to Pteridium aquilinum extract via the methods of electrochemistry experiment

Plant extracts are expected to be used as eco–friendly corrosion inhibitors due to their advantages of natural degradation and regeneration. In this study, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate the inhibition performance of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn (Pteridium aquilinum) extract on carbon steel in hydrochloric acid. The temperature adaptability of Pteridium aquilinum extract in the range of 25 °C–45 °C was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The functional groups in Pteridium aquilinum extracts were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the Pteridium aquilinum extract followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and acts as mixed–type corrosion inhibitor. Inhibition efficiency up to 96.9% has been achieved for 500 ppm Pteridium aquilinum extract at 25 °C. This study provides an important and useful reference for the research and utilization of plant extracts as corrosion inhibitors.

Study of the burning of Pteridium aquilinum L. and risk for the personnel involved: Thermal properties and chemical risk

We studied the burning of fern at the request of firefighters who felt strong irritation during its combustion. Smoke from forest fires is hazardous to health and can result acute or chronic toxicity. Also, smoke is opaque resulting in decreased vision. In this study, leaves and stems of ferns were burned according to the vegetative state ie dead and alive with a cone calorimeter. Time to ignition (tig) and Heat Release Rate (HRR) were measured. The smoke emitted was analysed by non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy, He–Ne laser, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and automated-thermal-desorption–gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (ATD-GC/MS). Analysis of the smoke reveals that the major compounds are CO2, H2O, CO, aerosols, NO, and SO2. Other gases in smaller proportions were observed, as well as non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs). These high levels of SO2 and HCl may be responsible of severe irritation for firefighters. Even at low concentrations, sulfur dioxide is an irritating gas for the nose and upper airways. Exposure to hydrochloric acid causes irritating effects on the skin and eyes. SO2 and HCl are corrosive to the eyes and skin. Finally, 97.8 and 96.1% of the carbon present in the fuel was identified in the emitted smoke for the dead and alive ferns respectively.

Comparison of Flora of Small-Scale Mined and Unmined-Sites in Dunkwa-East Municipality, Ghana

The impacts of small-scale mining on the vegetal cover as well the livelihoods of communities in mined areas in developing countries such as Ghana are far-reaching. This study assessed the impacts of small-scale mining on flora of conservation and economic significance through quantification of species richness, and species diversity. Mined and unmined sites were chosen in the Dunkwa East Municipality of Ghana. Five belt transects each (200m × 200m) were constructed in both sites. Each belt transect was divided into 100 quadrats (20m × 20m) and plant species in each of the quadrat were identified in the field and or the herbarium of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast. One hundred and fifty seven species distributed in 140 genera and 54 families were identified in the mined area whilst the 209 species identified in the unmined area were in 185 genera and 73 families. Plant families Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Asteraceae were more diverse whilst Asteraceae, Poaceae and Euphorbiaceae were dominant in the unmined area. In the mined area, however, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae were more diverse. Pteridium aquilinum, Tridax procumbens and Waltheria indica in the unmined area and Chromolaena odorata, Sporobolus pyramidalis and Euphorbia hirta in the mined area were the dominant species. Small-scale miming activities have caused reduction in species diversity, richness and economic and commercial values in the area. Higher disturbance of the flora has resulted in more secondary species in the mined area. Restoration is required in the study area.

Worldwide relationships in the fern genus Pteridium (bracken) based on nuclear genome markers.

PremiseSpore‐bearing plants are capable of dispersing very long distances. However, it is not known if gene flow can prevent genetic divergence in widely distributed taxa. Here we address this issue, and examine systematic relationships at a global geographic scale for the fern genus Pteridium.MethodsWe sampled plants from 100 localities worldwide, and generated nucleotide data from four nuclear genes and two plastid regions. We also examined 2801 single nucleotide polymorphisms detected by a restriction site‐associated DNA approach.ResultsWe found evidence for two distinct diploid species and two allotetraploids between them. The “northern” species (Pteridium aquilinum) has distinct groups at the continental scale (Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America). The northern European subspecies pinetorum appears to involve admixture among all of these. A sample from the Hawaiian Islands contained elements of both North American and Asian P. aquilinum. The “southern” species, P. esculentum, shows little genetic differentiation between South American and Australian samples. Components of African genotypes are detected on all continents.ConclusionsWe find evidence of distinct continental‐scale genetic differentiation in Pteridium. However, on top of this is a clear signal of recent hybridization. Thus, spore‐bearing plants are clearly capable of extensive long‐distance gene flow; yet appear to have differentiated genetically at the continental scale. Either gene flow in the past was at a reduced level, or vicariance is possible even in the face of long‐distance gene flow.

The use of herbicides to regulate weeds in forest nurseries and crops in Poland

Abstract Weeds competing with seedlings of trees for nutrients, moisture, light and space, drown out their growth in nurseries and forest crops. Currently, in forestry, weed control is mainly carried out in forest nurseries, less often during the preparation of the area intended for afforestation, but sporadically in forest crops. The most important species of weeds threatening seedlings of forest trees include Senecio vulgaris, S. silvaticus, Deschampsia caespitosa, Pteridium aquilinum, Agropyron repens, Calamagrostis epigeios and Equisetum arvense. In Poland, herbicides have the largest share (about 50%) in the sale of plant protection products, but the scale of their use in forests is small, compared to agriculture. In 2012, 915 herbicides were registered in the country, out of which only 14 products (0.5%) were for use in forestry. In the years 1999–2019, 31 herbicides were registered for the protection of forest nurseries and crops, which included 13 active substances belonging to 11 chemical groups, of which 9 active substances have been used up to now. Most herbicides (15–16) were used in the years 2004–2006, the lowest in 1999–2000 and in 2014 (4 products). The most popular active substance has been glyphosate contained in 18 products.

202 In vitro digestibility of various browse species selected by goats over the growing season

Abstract Goats naturally prefer to consume browse species given the choice. Browsing away from the ground may help avoid internal parasites; however, goats cannot consume more than 50% of their diet as browse due to the prevalence of toxins in the browse species. The objective of this project was to determine in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of preferred browse species consumed by goats at Tuskegee University browsing demonstration site over the growing season. Three samples were collected from each of the 35 different browse species in April and July 2018. Samples consisted of leaves and edible twigs. Browse IVTD was determined according to the Van Soest et al. (1991) modification of the Tilley and Terry (1963) procedure using the Ankom Daisy II incubator system. Data were analyzed for the months of April and July utilizing the two-sample T-test of SYSTAT, Version 13. Browse IVTD values differed (Pteridium aquilinum (Brakenfern) to 94.7% in Phytolacca americana (pokeweed) while the July values ranged from 33.59% in Pteridium aquilinum to 88.5% for Morus rubra (Mulberry). Significant differences were also observed among browse species with regards to dry matter content. Dry matter content values ranged from 10.5 (Albizia julibrissin; White mimosa) to 81% (Prunus americana; American Plum) in April and 12.5 Phytolacca americana to 89% Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine) in July. Results showed natural variability in IVTD of various browse species throughout the growing season. Future experiments will analyze additional nutritive value parameters such as ADF, NDF, total digestible nutrients, and lignin values over three collection times (April, July, and October). The experiment will be continued for two additional years to provide meaningful results.

GC-MS Analysis of Ethanolic Extract of Pteridium Aquilinum (L.) Kuhn: An Important Fern

The aim of the study was to investigate the phytochemical compounds of ethanol extract of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn using GC-MS analysis. In GC-MS analysis, 19 bioactive phytochemical compounds were identified in the ethanolic extract of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn the components were identified by using Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, the results of GCMS compounds in the extract was relevant to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. The major constituents were decane (12.1%), 1,3,7-Octatriene, 3,7-dimethyl (26.42%) and Limonene (10.89%). Keywords: Bioactive compounds, Pteridophytes, GC-MS, Pteridium aquilinum, NIST

Preferensi Tanaman Tempat Aktivitas Aedes di Pekarangan Rumah Desa Kopelma Banda Aceh

The existence of plants in house yard is an important factor for the survival of Aedes. House yard plants could be the places where mosquitoes carry out eating and resting activities. It is important to investigate the matter to find out about mosquitoes’ bioecology in the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the species of house yard plant that were selected by Aedes for eating and resting activities. This was an explorative survey using 50 house yards. The result showed that at the Kopelma Village there were 2 species of Aedes found in house yard plant that were Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The mosquitoes were found at 6 house yard plant species that were Mangifera indica, Annona muricata, Pteridium aquilinum, Ixora sp., Plumeria sp., and Murraya sp.

Long‐term impacts of changed grazing regimes on the vegetation of heterogeneous upland grasslands

Abstract Marginal agricultural land, which in the UK refers to upland grazings in particular, is going to see changes in management driven by markets, subsidies, grants and environmental change with implications for biodiversity. Using a large‐scale, long‐term grazing experiment in the UK uplands we assessed the impact of intensification (tripling sheep numbers), abandonment (removal of sheep) and grazer diversification (partial replacement of sheep by cattle) on vegetation composition in a heterogenous area of grassland. Species benefiting from increased grazing included sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), mat grass (Nardus stricta) and deer grass (Trichophorum cespitosum). Species that benefitted from the removal of grazing included bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and blaeberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Responses differed between vegetation communities; more productive acid grassland communities showed little change when grazing was removed, whilst less productive mire communities contained species, capable of increasing after grazing removal. Increased grazing and, to a lesser extent, the introduction of cattle increased species diversity. Synthesis and applications. Marginal agricultural grassland will likely see management change driven by markets, subsidies and environmental change. Vegetation change in these relatively infertile grasslands is slow and features shuffling dominance amongst species in the initial vegetation. Initial structural changes affect other trophic levels in this experiment; the slow change in composition will affect the system over longer timescales. Management decisions in the uplands encompass complex trade‐offs between production, biodiversity and a range of ecosystem services. Predicting the consequences of decisions is difficult given the slow dynamics of unproductive habitats.

Secondary Succession under invasive species (Pteridium aquilinum) conditions in a seasonal dry tropical forest in southeastern Mexico.

The role of invasive species in ecosystem functioning represents one of the main challenges in ecology. Pteridium aquilinum is a successful cosmopolitan invasive species with negative effects on the ecological mechanisms that allow secondary succession. In this study, we evaluated the influence of P. aquilinumon secondary succession under different disturbances in a seasonal dry forest of the Yucatán Peninsula. We determined species richness, composition and the relative importance value in four sampling units. Fabaceae followed by Asteraceae, Meliaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae and Verbenaceae were the most species rich families. A dissimilarity analysis determined significant differences in beta diversity between sampling units. With a generalized linear model we found that species richness was best explained by site conditions, followed by calcium and soil organic matter. Also, the generalized linear model showed that abundance resulted in a strong correlation with site conditions and soil characteristics. Specific soil conditions related to phosphoro and calcium were also detected as beneficiary to the successional processes. Our results suggest that applying fire restriction and periodic cutting of the bracken fern, this can increase a higher diversity of species.

Biopesticide Potentialities of Eagle Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and Ricin (Ricinus communis) in the Protection of Vegetables Crops

Introduction: Pesticides commonly used in crop protection are serious causes of ecological and sanitary disorders.
 Aims: This present work investigates the biopesticide properties of Pteridium auquilinum and Ricinus communis in the protection of three vegetable crops Lactuca sativa, Solanum nigrum and Raphanus sativus.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experimental tests were conducted on the site of BIONATURE (Bafoussam, Cameroon) from 24 June to 30 August 2017.
 Methodology: Four types of preparations were made and bioefficacy tests consisted of contact treatments. Direct observations on the physical aspect of the plant, agronomic measurements, and pathology monitoring were carried out.
 Results: The results show that the fermentation of the fern is complete after 5 days versus 8 days for the castor. The aqueous extracts of fern have insect repellent, insecticidal and fungicidal properties. Diluted maceration of fern (88.75%) was more efficient than the pure maceration (68%).
 Conclusion: Manure and castor oil have insecticidal and repellent properties. The monitoring of pathologies after treatment reveals that castor oil is more effective than fern manure in control of gray rots and Tip burn attacks.

Accumula- tion radionuclides 137Cs in plants of grass-bush in tier subors of Ukrainian Polissia

The modern radioactive contamination of the representatives of the grass-bush tier of pine plantations in the conditions of subors forests of Ukrainian Polissia is investigated. The density of radioactive soil contamination within the sample plots varied from 148 to 440 kBq/m2. Significant fluctuations of the specific activity values of 137Cs for all research species were found — from 6166 Bq/kg to 171862 Bq/kg. The maximum values of 137Cs were found in terrestrial phytomass of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, and minimal — in Vaccinium uliginosum L. Intensity indices of 137Cs in terrestrial phytomass of grass-bush tier for all research species varied in wide ranges: the coefficient of accumulation from 0.8 to 58.6, the transition factor — from 17 to 574 m2·kg–1·10–3. According to the results of one-factor dispersion analysis, the representatives of the grass-bush cover on the ability to accumulate 137Cs were classified in 6 groups. By the accumulation intensity of 137Cs in subors forests, the plants can be placed in the following order: Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn > Melampyrum pretense L. > Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull > Vaccinium myrtillus L. > Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench > Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. > Ledum palustre L. > Vaccinium uliginosum L. The concentration of 137Cs in the species of grass-bush cover has a close linear relationship with the magnitude of the density of soil radioactive contamination.

Essential oil composition and antibacterial activity of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn.

The present work aims to study the chemical composition of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn essential oil and its antibacterial activity against three important phytopathogenic Gram-negative bacteria: Erwinia amylovora, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. caroto-vorum, and Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi. The chemical composition of P. aquilinum L. essential oil produced by hydrodistillation was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity was tested using disk diffusion method and by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration values. The major components were linalool (10.29%), carvacrol (8.15%), benzaldehyde (5.95%), 2-undecanone (5.32%), and cuminaldehyde (4.57%). The essential oil tested revealed a powerful antibacterial effect against all tested strains, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 32.0 ± 0.58 to 33.7 ± 0.88 mm. P. aquilinum EO contained 32.86% of oxygenated monoterpenes, which are known for their very powerful antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration values showed that P. aquilinum essential oil has very strong activity against E. amylovora (0.625 ul/ml), followed by P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (2.50 ul/ml) and P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi (5.00 ul/ml). The results obtained could contribute to the development of new potential agents for the control of bacterial diseases.

Growth and mortality patterns of the Neotropical bracken (Pteridium arachnoideum) and their response to shading in a savanna–riparian forest transition

Although certain clonal species are often overdominant in disturbed tropical ecosystems, it is often unclear how this success is related to their patterns of clonal growth and how they respond to abiotic heterogeneity. Here we describe ramet growth and survival in an overdominant Neotropical bracken fern (Pteridium arachnoideum) and assess how these patterns resemble congeneric species and are affected by canopy closure in a savanna–riparian forest transition in southeastern Brazil. We measured frond length from early emergence to senescence during two consecutive years in three clonal patches dominated by P. arachnoideum and associated the resulting growth pattern with the local canopy closure. Pteridium arachnoideum exhibited average frond length and growth rate higher than previously reported for this species and for congeneric species. Frond mortality was generally high shortly after emergence from the ground, but was also much higher in one study site due to ant herbivory. Fronds of P. arachnoideum were higher, showed petiole elongation and higher mortality rate under high canopy closure, suggesting shading avoidance, in contrast to the shade tolerance reported for Pteridium aquilinum. Although our findings indicate that this species is unlikely to represent a threat to the biodiversity of undisturbed Brazilian savanna–riparian forest transitions with continuous canopy, they also suggest that introduction of fast growing tree species with dense canopy may accelerate the restoration of more disturbed and degraded sites.