Fern

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Fern

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta
Families
Class: Filicopsida Order: Hydropteridales Azollaceae Azolla family Marsileaceae Water-clover family Salviniaceae Floating Fern family Order: Marattiales Marattiaceae Vessel Fern family Order: Ophioglossales Ophioglossaceae Adder's-tongue family Order: Polypodiales Anemiaceae Flowering Fern family Aspleniaceae Spleenwort family Blechnaceae Chain Fern family Cyatheaceae Tree Fern family Davalliaceae Hanging Fern family Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Fern family Dicksoniaceae Tree Fern family Dryopteridaceae Wood Fern family Sword ferns Gleicheniaceae Forking Fern family Grammitidaceae Kihi Fern family Hymenophyllaceae Filmy Fern family Lophosoriaceae Diamond-leaf Fern family Lygodiaceae Climbing Fern family Osmundaceae Royal Fern family Parkeriaceae Water Fern family Polypodiaceae Polypody family Pteridaceae Maidenhair Fern family Schizaeaceae Curly-grass family Thelypteridaceae Marsh Fern family Vittariaceae Shoestring Fern family

Pteridophyta is one of the biggest divisions in the kingdom plantae. There are over 10,000 different species of ferns. Ferns are also the worlds hardiest plants and they can last for years. They can also be very easy to cultivate if one doesn't have time to maintain a garden.

1 Anatomy
2 Reproduction
3 Ecology
4 Gallery
5 Related References
6 See Also

Anatomy

Description

Ferns are extremely diverse, anatomically in size they can range from only two to three millimeters tall, to tree ferns ten to twenty five meters in height (30-75ft). Some less common ferns grow as vines, while others float on the surfaces of ponds. Most ferns are a dark green if they live in wooded areas, to a yellowish green. The leaves on most ferns are feather-like with a central axis and smaller branches coming off the side.

Reproduction

Fern reproduction occurs through a lifecycle known as the alternation of generations. It is characterized by a complete absence of conspicuous flowers and fruit, and the production of massive quantities of spores. For many ferns, the spores are produced on the underside of the leaf.

Fern lifecycle

Ecology

Most ferns like to grow in shady, damp, forests and in temperate and tropical zones. Some ferns like to grow on sand and upon rocks, or rocky habitats. They also grow on sides of cliff faces. In the tropics, as many as two-thirds of the ferns may grow as epiphytes on the trunks and branches or crowns of trees. Some ferns are tree climbers. They start off on the ground next to a tree, and then they will start to grow onto the tree. Ferns are one of the few plants that can grow almost anywhere. Some will grow where volcanoes have erupted, or in the area of other natural disasters. The ferns are very hardy plants that can withstand severe weather changes and even long-term drought. Ferns do not serve a major role in human ecology, except as decorations.