Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Natural Communities
Keyword: Bracken Grassland

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Bracken grassland
These are open upland areas, in northern Wisconsin on sandy soils, dominated by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinium), Penn sedge (Carex penyslvanica, Kalm's bromegrass (Bromus kalmii), and Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa). There may be a high cover of low shrubs such as blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium and V. myrtilloides), sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina), prairie willow (Salix humilis), and hazelnuts (Corylus spp.. Other common herbs include poverty oat-grass (Danthonia spicata), Lindley's aster (Aster ciliolatus), gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), and common strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Exotics are often frequent. There is disagreement on whether bracken grassland should be considered a "natural community" in Wisconsin and elsewhere in the Upper Great Lakes region.

Offsite resources:
Virginia Kline's collection of the Vegetation of Wisconsin
Michigan Natural Features Inventory Community descriptions