Editing Bracken (section)

=== Other plant associations ===
[[File:Curled bracken fronds.JPG|thumb|Young bracken fronds curled]]

Bracken is known to produce and release [[allelopathic]] chemicals, which is an important factor in its ability to dominate other vegetation, particularly in regrowth after fire. Its chemical emissions, shady canopy, and thick litter inhibit other plant species from establishing themselves – with the occasional exception of plants which support rare butterflies. Herb and tree seedling growth may be inhibited even after bracken is removed, apparently because active plant toxins remain in the soil.

Bracken substitutes the characteristics of a woodland [[Canopy (forest)|canopy]], and is important for giving shade to European plants such as [[common bluebell]] and [[Anemone nemorosa|wood anemone]] where the woodland does not exist. These plants are intolerant to stock trampling. Dead bracken provides a warm microclimate for development of the immature stages. [[Climbing corydalis]], [[Gladiolus|wild gladiolus]], and [[chickweed wintergreen]] also seem to benefit from the conditions found under bracken stands.

The high humidity in the stands helps mosses survive underneath, including ''Campylopus flexuosus'', ''[[Hypnum cupressiforme]]'', ''[[Polytrichum commune]]'', ''Pseudoscelopodium purum'' and ''Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus''.