Ferns are a diverse group of plants often recognised by their fronds and by the way many young leaves unfold from curled tips. They occur in a range of environments, although shaded and moist places are especially familiar settings for many species. Their leaves can be simple or divided into many smaller sections. The delicate appearance of some kinds should not be taken as a description of the entire group. Unlike flowering plants, ferns do not produce flowers and seeds as their usual means of reproduction. They produce spores, often in structures visible on the underside or edge of a mature frond. These structures can form dots, lines, or other patterns. Their arrangement is one useful feature when comparing different ferns, though identification usually requires more than looking at on
Read More
Tuesday, November 10
