Bracken Fern is found in every continent except Antarctica. Esculentum means edible and Indigenous people in Australia ate the roots after they were pounded into a paste and roasted. Without the correct procedure the plants are toxic to humans and animals.

 

It was also used to treat insect bites. 

 

The white pith at the base of the leaf was rubbed onto insect bites and it is often found growing near Stinging Nettles, Urtica incisa.