what are ferns

What are 10 facts about ferns?

Fern is a vascular, seedless plant that belongs to the group Pteridophyta. There are around 12 000 types of ferns that differ in size, morphology and type of habitat. Ferns can be found throughout the world. They live in shady places that provide enough moisture, such as forests, fields, swamps and areas near the streams. Fern can survive in various climates and on different altitudes.

What makes ferns different from other plants?

Ferns are unique among plant life because they don’t have flowers or seeds in the same way as most plants or trees. They are still plants, with roots, leaves, and chlorophyll to photosynthesize, however ferns grow slightly differently and use spores to reproduce instead of flowers.

What do ferns like to eat?

What Eats Ferns?

• Mammals. The European woodmouse, or Apodemus sylvaticus, eats only the fertile spores of the European fern Culcita macrocarpa, and only between December and January.
• Birds. During the winter and early spring, the Azores Bullfinch, or Pyrrhula murina, eats the high-fat spores of three specific species of fern.
• Insects. ...
• Fern Facts. ...

What are some facts about ferns?

• There are giant ferns called Dixonia Antarctica in Australia and on the island of Tasmania, although these plants are not related to Antarctica. ...
• Some fern species are edible. ...
• The trunks of some tree ferns are so strong and hard that they look more like wood, rather than soft pulp. ...

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What are ferns in plants?

Ferns are plants that do not have flowers. Ferns generally reproduce by producing spores. Similar to flowering plants, ferns have roots, stems and leaves.

What are three characteristics of ferns?

Ferns have 3 major parts – the rhizome, the fronds and the reproductive structures called sporangia. The characteristics of each of these 3 parts of the fern plant are used for classification and identification.

What are ferns called?

polypodiophytaA fern is any one of a group of about 20,000 species of plants classified in the phylum or division Pteridophyta, also known as Filicophyta. The group is also referred to as polypodiophyta, or polypodiopsida when treated as a subdivision of tracheophyta (vascular plants).

What is special about ferns?

Ferns are unique in land plants in having two separate living structures, so the ferny plant that we see out in the bush produces spores, and those spores, when they are released, don't grow straight back into a new ferny plant. They grow into a little tiny plant that we call a gametophyte.

Is a fern a leaf?

The leaves of ferns are often called fronds. Fronds are usually composed of a leafy blade and petiole (leaf stalk). Leaf shape, size, texture and degree of complexity vary considerably from species to species. A fern leaf or frond.

Where do ferns live?

damp forestsEcologically, the ferns are most commonly plants of shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones. Some fern species grow equally well on soil and upon rocks; others are confined strictly to rocky habitats, where they occur in fissures and crevices of cliff faces, boulders, and taluses.

Is a fern a tree?

First of all, tree ferns are ferns, but they are not really trees. To be a tree, a plant must be woody (undergo secondary plant growth, which thickens stems and roots) and grow to a height of at least three metres when mature.

Are ferns weeds?

Some ferns are among the world's most serious weed species, including the bracken fern growing in the Scottish highlands, or the mosquito fern (Azolla) growing in tropical lakes, both species forming large aggressively spreading colonies.

Is fern a living thing?

Living components of a forest include: plants (e.g. trees, ferns, mosses)

How are ferns used as medicine?

Royal Fern used for intestinal worms. Rock Cap used for stomachaches and cholera. Christmas Fern used for stomachache, bowel problems, toothache, cramps, and diarrhea. Bracken Fern used for diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, infections, diarrhea, weakness, stomach cramps, and headaches.

Are ferns poisonous?

Some species of Ferns release spores that can cause poisoning through oral ingestion. The spores can contain toxins which endanger the health of humans and animals. The severity of the toxic effect depends on the type. The ill effects in people can range from nausea to cardiac issues.

How long can ferns live?

Indoor ferns can last for many years – even decades – with proper care and attention. One family in Virginia claim to have maintained their Boston fern for over 114 years! With re-potting and propagation, single plants can be regenerated again and again, making such advanced ages possible.

Size range and habitat

The ferns are extremely diverse in habitat, form, and reproductive methods. In size alone they range from minute filmy plants only 1–1.2 cm (0.39–0.47 inch) tall to huge tree ferns 10 to 25 metres (30 to 80 feet) in height. Some are twining and vinelike; others float on the surface of ponds.

Distribution and abundance

Geographically, ferns are most abundant in the tropics. Arctic and Antarctic regions possess few species. On the other hand, a small tropical country such as Costa Rica may have more than 900 species of ferns—about twice as many as are found in all of North America north of Mexico.

INTRODUCTION

Ferns are one of the oldest groups of plants on Earth, with a fossil record dating back to the middle Devonian (383-393 million years ago) (Taylor, Taylor, and Krings, 2009). Recent divergence time estimates suggest they may be even older, possibly having first evolved as far back as 430 mya (Testo and Sundue, 2016).

SHARED, DERIVED TRAITS

Figure 1. Stele structure of seed plants and ferns, with extinct relatives, adapted from Kenrick and Crane, 1997. The position of the protoxylem is denoted by circles and lines within the stele. Open circles denote protoxylem lacunae.

RELATIONSHIPS

Figure 4. Individual sporangium with selective labeling. Courtesy of Rogelio Moreno.

EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY

Table 1. List of ferns and extinct relatives with their associated fossil record dates. Those groups that still exist are marked as ‘present’ (from Taylor, Taylor, and Kring, 2009).

LIFECYCLE

Figure 6. Lifecycle of ferns, depicting the various modes of reproduction that can take place, excluding asexual reproduction, such as apomixis (from Sessa, Testo, and Watkins, 2016).

Literature cited

Beerling, D. J., Osborne, C. P., & Chaloner, W. G. (2001). Evolution of leaf-form in land plants linked to atmospheric CO2 decline in the Late Palaeozoic era. Nature. 410: 352-354.

Description

Like the sporophytes of seed plants, those of ferns consist of stems, leaves and roots. Ferns differ from seed plants in reproducing by spores. However they also differ from spore-producing bryophytes in that, like seed plants, they are Polysporangiophytes, their sporophytes branching and producing many sporangia.

Taxonomy

Carl Linnaeus (1753) originally recognized 15 genera of ferns and fern allies, classifying them in class Cryptogamia in two groups, Filices (e.g. Polypodium) and Musci (mosses). By 1806 this had increased to 38 genera, and has progressively increased since ( see Schuettpelz et al (2018) Figure 1 ).

Distribution and habitat

Ferns are widespread in their distribution, with the greatest richness in the tropics, and least in arctic areas. The greatest diversity occurs in tropical rainforests. New Zealand, for which the fern is a symbol, has about 230 species, distributed throughout the country.

Ecology

Fern species live in a wide variety of habitats, from remote mountain elevations, to dry desert rock faces, bodies of water or open fields. Ferns in general may be thought of as largely being specialists in marginal habitats, often succeeding in places where various environmental factors limit the success of flowering plants.

Uses

Ferns are not as important economically as seed plants, but have considerable importance in some societies. Some ferns are used for food, including the fiddleheads of Pteridium aquilinum ( bracken ), Matteuccia struthiopteris ( ostrich fern ), and Osmundastrum cinnamomeum ( cinnamon fern ).

Culture

The study of ferns and other pteridophytes is called pteridology. A pteridologist is a specialist in the study of pteridophytes in a broader sense that includes the more distantly related lycophytes .

Organisms confused with ferns

Several non-fern plants (and even animals) are called ferns and are sometimes confused with ferns. These include:

Different Types of Indoor Ferns

Rather easy to take care of as long as you plant it in well-drained fertile soil, and keep it moist without turning soggy. Misting may be necessary to maintain moisture in winter.

Types of Outdoor Ferns

Often considered the most majestic of all outdoor ferns, this variety gets its name from the long feather-like appearance of its fronds that resemble an ostrich’s tail feathers. It needs regular watering to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Watering less frequently can help in controlling its growth rate.

Aquarium Fern Types

Not exactly a houseplant as it is popular as an aquarium plant, there are various leaf shapes available, like ‘lance’, ‘needle’, and ‘trident’. Can grow half or fully submerged in water, and has a slow growth rate. The long curvy ‘leaves’ look nice when floating in tank water. Does well with occasional indirect sunlight.

Other Fern Varieties Less Commonly Grown in Gardens

There are hundreds of other fern varieties that are not commonly grown in gardens but can be found in wild habitats like riversides and mountains. Here are some notable wild ferns:

Things to Consider Before Deciding to Grow Ferns Indoors or in Containers

As they are quite hardy in shaded conditions, growing ferns outdoor is not that much of a challenge. But there are a few things to know before getting one for a houseplant:

Location

While ferns generally grow in tropical climates, with a little care and work you can easily grow one of these amazing plants in your home, which is a great way to add beauty and life to your space.

Type

There’s no reason why your winter garden should look dead and brown when the growing season for most of your plants has ended. By planting an evergreen fern in your space, you will still be able to enjoy something green throughout the winter.

Type

This is one of the most popular ferns to be used as a houseplant and is commonly seen on front porches in the late spring through the early fall. While it’s not hard to take care of these plants, they do require specific care or the fronds will start dying back and the plant will not look healthy.

Types of Hardy Garden Ferns

Growing a fern garden outdoors is easy. Ferns make excellent companions for woodland plantings like hosta, columbine, liriope, and caladiums. Learning how to take care of ferns depends mostly on the type you grow. While many types of hardy garden ferns are deciduous, some are evergreen.

How to Take Care of Ferns

Ferns are extremely forgiving and have an incredibly strong survival instinct. Ferns will grow where other plants fail to thrive and most do well in rich, well-drained soil with an abundance of organic matter.

Buying, Cooking, and Recipes

An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.

What Are Fiddleheads?

Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled tips of ferns. These delicate delights are available only in early spring when ferns grow their new shoots. The young fern fronds are mainly available by foraging.

How to Cook With Fiddleheads

Rinse fiddleheads in several changes of cold water, removing any dirt or grit, before using. Fiddleheads are delicate items that quickly lose their bright flavor and crisp texture, so use them as soon as possible after harvest to experience the best taste and texture.

What Do They Taste Like?

Fiddleheads have a grassy, springlike flavor with a hint of nuttiness. Many people agree that they taste like a cross between asparagus and young spinach. Some detect an artichoke flavor as well, and even a bit of mushroom.

Fiddlehead Recipes

There is usually not much fuss when it comes to cooking fiddleheads; the goal is to enjoy their flavor. They're most often simply prepared and eaten as a side rather than integrated into recipes or complex dishes. You could, however, serve sautéed or steamed fiddleheads on top of pasta and salads.

Where to Buy Fiddleheads

Foraging for fiddleheads is a favorite spring activity in many areas where they grow. The season generally runs from mid-April through early May, depending on that year's weather. If you're not a forager, fiddleheads can be found at some farmers markets or grocery stores with a wild produce section.

Storage

Shortly after harvest, fiddleheads start to turn brown, drying out on the ends and turning mushy in the coils. If you need to store fiddleheads, rinse and dry them thoroughly, then wrap them lightly in plastic wrap and keep chilled in the coldest part of the refrigerator (typically in the back on a top shelf).

Indoors

The indoor environment is well suited to tropical varieties of ferns, because of the constant warm temperatures that most people prefer in their homes. In contrast to this benefit, a challenge is that many tropical ferns are adapted to high humidity, which is generally undesirable in the home.

Outdoors

The best way to ensure success in growing ferns in the garden is to choose a variety that grows naturally in your region (or USDA zone). It’s always better to work with nature, and the local ferns will be perfectly adapted to your outdoor climate.

Ferns for dry and wet conditions

The general all-purpose ferns above will grow well in most gardens, but there are some special cases where a more specific variety is recommended if you want them to grow easily.

Ferns to avoid

Finally, it is worth noting a couple of ferns that are a little too easy to grow. Hay-scented ferns and bracken fern are very abundant in wild woodland, and spread invasively .

Common bracken

The Rabbit's foot fern, Davallia solida (var. fejeensis), is a beautiful tropical fern with delicate, complex fronds that form a low-growing bush of glossy green foliage. The fern gets its name from...

Overview

Organisms confused with ferns

Several non-fern plants (and even animals) are called ferns and are sometimes confused with ferns. These include:
• Asparagus fern—This may apply to one of several species of the monocot genus Asparagus, which are flowering plants.
• Sweetfern—A flowering shrub of the genus Comptonia.

Description

Taxonomy

Distribution and habitat

Ecology

Uses

Culture