Fern Care

Fern Plant: the Oldest Land Plant
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios

The majority of the ferns belong to the Polypodiaceae or the Polypody family. A typical fern plant consists of triangular fronds that are further divided into leaflets and smaller leaflets known as pinnae and pinnules. The fern is found throughout the world, and mostly grows in damp places even though certain species of the plants are known to grow in dry places such as rocks, soil or even the crevices of big rocks. A number of species also grow on tress and are known as epiphytes. These plants vary greatly in shape, size and even the color of the leaves. Certain species of the fern plant are only a few centimeters high while certain plants, such as the tree ferns that are found in the tropical region are up to 80 feet high.

As for the structure of a fern, it consists of the leafy branches that are known as fronds. The fronds are made up of small leaflets that are known as pinnae. Underneath the fern frond are the patches that are actually spores contained inside casings collectively known as sporangia. However, all species of ferns do not have spores underneath the fronds. The ones that have the spores are known as fertile fronds. This plant is vascular i.e. it has an internal vein structure that supports the flow of water and nutrients to the fern plant. A fern grows well only in the regions where it receives adequate moisture unlike the other vascular plants that survive even in dry conditions.

The ferns are known to reproduce by an alteration of generations. The fern is asexual, also called the sporophyte generation. The spores, or rather the sporangia i.e. groups of spores cases, are formed on the underside of the leaves of the plant. When the sporangium dries up, it breaks and the sporangia are scattered in the wind that carries them to far off places. When the spore finds suitable conditions, it grows into a gametophyte, the stage between the spore and the adult plant. On finding conducive moist conditions, the gametophyte grows into an adult plant. These plants can be found anywhere in the world, except the Antarctica, and a number of species are found in the United States. The tropical species of the fern plant are found in the rain forests of Asia, Africa, Australia and Polynesia.

This plant is used in many other ways than just serving as an ornamental plant. The underground stems of many species of the fern plant serve as food in Asia. Even in Europe, the leaves of certain species are eaten as a source of vitamins and minerals. The Maidenhair ferns are used in various herbal medicines as a cure for respiratory disorders while a number of other species of the fern plant are believed to possess medicinal properties.

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