Fern
Fern (Fern)
Fern (/fɜːrn/; from Old English fearn, related to Old High German farn, Old Norse fjǫrn, and Dutch varen) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. They differ from mosses by being vascular, i.e., having specialized tissues that conduct water and nutrients and in having life cycles in which the sporophyte is the dominant phase.
Etymology
The word "fern" comes from the Old English word fearn meaning "fern," a type of leafy plant. The origins of the word are quite old, with similar words appearing in several other Germanic languages, such as the Old High German farn, the Old Norse fjǫrn, and the Dutch varen.
Classification
Ferns are part of the division Pteridophyta, also known as Filicophyta. The group includes four classes: Polypodiopsida, Marattiopsida, Equisetopsida, and Psilotopsida.
Reproduction
Ferns reproduce via spores, which are different from seeds. The spores are typically produced in specialized structures called sporangia that are found on the undersides of the fronds.
Habitat and Distribution
Ferns are found in a wide variety of habitats, from remote mountain elevations, to dry desert rock faces, to bodies of water or in open fields. They are found on all continents.
Uses
Ferns are not of major economic importance, but some are used for food, medicine, as biofertilizer, as ornamental plants and for remediating contaminated soil. They have been the subject of research for their ability to remove some chemical pollutants from the atmosphere.
Related Terms
- Frond: The leaf or leaflike part of a palm, fern, or similar plant.
- Sporangia: A single-celled or many-celled structure in which spores are produced.
- Pteridophyta: A division of plants that includes ferns and their allies.
- Polypodiopsida: A class of Pteridophyta that includes most of the species we commonly think of as ferns.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fern
- Wikipedia's article - Fern
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