A fern is a member of a group of about 10,560 extant species. source
A fern is a member of a group of about 10,560 extant species.
Ferns are vascular plants differing from lycophytes by having true leaves (megaphylls), which are often pinnate. source
Ferns are vascular plants differing from lycophytes by having true leaves (megaphylls), which are often pinnate.
Ferns differ from seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) in their mode of reproduction—lacking flowers and seeds. source
Ferns differ from seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) in their mode of reproduction—lacking flowers and seeds.
Ferns have a life cycle referred to as alternation of generations. source
Ferns have a life cycle referred to as alternation of generations.
Like the sporophytes of seed plants, those of ferns consist of stems, leaves and roots. source
Like the sporophytes of seed plants, those of ferns consist of stems, leaves and roots.
Stems;Fern stems are often referred to as "rhizomes", even though they grow underground only in some of the species. source
Stems;Fern stems are often referred to as "rhizomes", even though they grow underground only in some of the species.
Leaf: The green, photosynthetic part of the plant is technically a megaphyll and in ferns, it is often referred to as a frond. source
Leaf: The green, photosynthetic part of the plant is technically a megaphyll and in ferns, it is often referred to as a frond.
New leaves typically expand by the unrolling of a tight spiral called a "crozier" or "fiddlehead fern". source
New leaves typically expand by the unrolling of a tight spiral called a "crozier" or "fiddlehead fern".
The gametophytes of ferns, however, are very different from those of seed plants: they resemble liverworts. source
The gametophytes of ferns, however, are very different from those of seed plants: they resemble liverworts.
Ferns first appear in the fossil record in the early Carboniferous period. source
Ferns first appear in the fossil record in the early Carboniferous period.
The "great fern radiation" occurred in the late Cretaceous, when many modern families of ferns first appeared. source
The "great fern radiation" occurred in the late Cretaceous, when many modern families of ferns first appeared.
One problem with the classification of ferns is that of cryptic species. source
One problem with the classification of ferns is that of cryptic species.
In many cases such as this, the species complexes have been separated into separate species, thus raising the total number of species of ferns. source
In many cases such as this, the species complexes have been separated into separate species, thus raising the total number of species of ferns.
A 2006 phylogeny of living fern groups by Smith et al. is based on recent molecular systematic studies, in addition to morphological data. source
A 2006 phylogeny of living fern groups by Smith et al. is based on recent molecular systematic studies, in addition to morphological data.
Many ferns depend on associations with mycorrhizal fungi. source
Many ferns depend on associations with mycorrhizal fungi.
The study of ferns and other pteridophytes is called pteridology. source
The study of ferns and other pteridophytes is called pteridology.