Pteridium aquilinum is a tall pteridophyte fern with conspicuous, deeply divided, pinnate fronds (Clapham et al. 1987). The stem is a rhizome, continuing underground and sending stems creeping off horizontally for long distances. Rhizomes are black and hairy on the outside and white and glutinous inside. The broadly triangular fronds are attached individually, forming rows on either side of the long and rigid stalk and the young ones are densely covered with brown scaly hairs, many of which are shed as the blade unfolds (Fritsch & Salisbury, 1961).