Pteris vittata L.

Ladder Brake; Chinese Brake

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Ladder Brake is an introduced evergreen perennial in the Maidenhair Fern family (Pteridaceae). It is native to Asia. In Alabama, it can be found in the southern half of the state. Ladder Brake most often grows on the old masonry of brick walls in cities, but can also be found on masonry in cemeteries, under bridges and in ditches, and on exposed limestone. It is a perennial from a stout, short-creeping, scaly rhizome. The fronds (leaves) are clustered near the apex of the rhizome. Fronds vary in length from 3 inches to 3 feet. The petiole is scaly. The blade is oblanceolate in outline and once pinnate. The pinna are linear to linear-lanceolate in outline. The rachis is not winged. The margins of the pinna are serrate. Ladder Brake reproduces by spores that are produced in sporangia. The sporangia are located along the margins of the pinna. The margin of the pinna folds under, partly covering the sporangia with a false indusium. Ladder Brake is a popular ornamental species, and is readily available from nurseries. It prefers an alkaline soil and can tolerate more sun and drier conditions than many ferns.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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