Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Descriptions of Ferns
Descriptions of Ferns. Ferns are vascular plants, meaning they have internal tubes for transporting fluids like all other plants besides true mosses and lichens. Ferns, however, reproduce by spores instead of seeds. Because of this they live in moisture-rich habitats and so are not likely found in dry, arid climates. In general, ferns can be...
Ferns are vascular plants, meaning they have internal tubes for transporting fluids like all other plants besides true mosses and lichens. Ferns, however, reproduce by spores instead of seeds. Because of this they live in moisture-rich habitats and so are not likely found in dry, arid climates. In general, ferns can be distinguished from other low-growing species by their pinnate (divided into numerous branches or lobes on two sides of a common axis) leaves and a simple, narrow stem. There are five major characteristics to keep in mind when identifying a fern based on description.
Leafless Stalks
Ferns in the Genera Botrychium have clusters of sporangia (spore sacs) on a leafless stalk that projects from the upper side of the frond. Common names of these are the grape and rattlesnake ferns. Botrychium lunaria and B. multifidum are two examples. These are not characteristic of what is usually thought of as the feathery fern shape as they have more stalk than leaves.
Once-pinnate
Some ferns, such as Blechnum spicant (deer fern) have once-pinnately divided fronds, meaning the individual leaves mirror each other on each side of the stalk, creating an even, swordlike shape overall. Polystichum munitum (sword fern) and Polypodium glycyrrhiza (licorice fern) also have once-pinnate leaves.
Two to Four Times Pinnate
Many ferns have fronds that are two to four pinnate, creating a more feathery and denser appearance. Cryptogramma crispa (parsley fern) has fronds that are two to three times pinnate, Gymnocarpium dryopteris (oak fern) is two to three times pinnate and Thelypteris phegopteris (narrow beach fern) is twice pinnate.
Evergreen
Some ferns stay green year-round. When hiking in the spring, and the newly uncovered ground shows itself, you can see that these ferns have maintained their green color through the cold months. Pityrogramma triangularis (goldenback fern), Botrychium multifidum (leathery grape fern and the aforementioned deer fern, licorice fern and parsley fern are examples of evergreen ferns.
Deciduous
Fewer ferns grow that are deciduous. Examples of ferns with deciduous fronds, which turn brown and die each fall and regenerate in the spring, are Botrychium lunaria (common moonwort), (green spleenwort) and Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair fern).
