The mature leaves, especially in hay, seem to be the offenders. But it has been shown that young bracken has the nutritive value equivalent to good hay. A legend warns that anyone inclined to gather the spores of this fern on Saint john's Eve will become invisible if he holds them in his hand at the moment of the Saint's birth. The plant forms large patches resembling a miniature pine forest and is quite attractive. Both cypress spurge and E. corollata L., sometimes called flowering spurge, are still cultivated occasionally but can be a potential danger to children if eaten.
Common speedwell is a perennial native to both the U.S. and Eurasia.
Its prostrate to creeping stems root at the base making the plant weedy in pastures, open woodlands, and lawns. The pale blue flowers, borne in many flowered axillary racemes, appear in June and July. But valuable it was. Most of the early herbalists recommended it as a cooling herb and tonic. Common speedwell also is reported to have been used in the manufacture of some vermouths.