5-Hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one, along with (2R)-pterosin B, shikimic acid, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, transtiliroside, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol, glycerol 1-stearate and benzoic acid, were isolated from the young fronds of the bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum. 5-Hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one, shikimic acid and glycerol 1-stearate were isolated from the plant for the first time.