Cretan brake

General description

Fern < 75 cm tall. Rhizome is short and creeping. Stipes are yellow-brown. Fronds are pinnate and green or variegated. Pinnae are < 60 x 40 cm, arranged in 2-7 pairs, narrow and often forked when basal. Spores are borne along outer margin of the pinnae.

What you need to know

Although Cretan brake is not a legally declared pest plant, it may still be invasive in some situations. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Habitats

Open areas, riparian margins, forest, rock faces, wasteland, urban areas, roadsides.

Dispersal

Spores dispersed by wind and water. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings.

Impact on environment

May outcompete and suppress regeneration of native vegetation. May hybridise with native Pteris species.

Control

Site Management

Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts.

Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.