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Fern Facts & Worksheets

Ferns are plants that lack flowers. They reproduce primarily through the production of spores. Ferns, like blooming plants, have roots, stalks, and leaves.

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Ferns are plants that lack flowers. They reproduce primarily through the production of spores. Ferns, like blooming plants, have roots, stalks, and leaves. Unlike flowering plants, ferns do not contain flowers or seeds; instead, they reproduce sexually via small spores or, in some instances, vegetatively, as demonstrated by the walking fern.

See the fact file below for more information about Ferns, or you can download our 28-page Ferns worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DESCRIPTION

  • The majority of existing ferns are herbaceous perennials with no woody development. Woody growth is found in the stem when it is present. Depending on the climate, its leaves can be deciduous, evergreen, or semi-evergreen.
  • Fern sporophytes, like seed plant sporophytes, are made up of stems, leaves, and roots. Ferns vary from spermatophytes (any plant that produces seeds) in that they reproduce through spores rather than blooms and seeds.
  • However, they differ from spore-producing bryophytes in that, like seed plants, they are polysporangiophytes, with their sporophytes branching and producing several sporangia.
  • The green, photosynthetic section of the plant is known as a megaphyll, and it is commonly referred to as a frond in ferns. 
  • New leaves often grow into fronds by unrolling a tight spiral known as a crozier or fiddlehead.
  • Circinate vernation refers to the uncurling of the leaf. Sporophylls and tropophylls are the two types of leaves. Tropophylls do not produce spores, but sporophylls do. 
  • Fern spores are produced in sporangia, typically crowded together to form sori.
  • An indusium, or protective layer, may cover the sporangia. The sporangia arrangement is significant in categorization.
  • Monomorphic ferns’ fertile and sterile leaves are physically identical, and both can photosynthesize.
  • Fern stems are frequently referred to as rhizomes, even though only a few species grow underground. Many epiphytic and terrestrial species have above-ground creeping stolons, and many groups have above-ground erect semi-woody stems. 
  • Some species, such as Cyathea brownii on Norfolk Island and Cyathea medullaris in New Zealand, can grow up to 20 meters (66 feet) tall.
  • Roots are non-photosynthetic subterranean structures that absorb water and nutrients from the earth. They are always fibrous and physically similar to seed plant roots.

TAXONOMY

  • Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, recognized 15 genera of ferns and fern allies, categorizing them in Cryptogamia into Filices (e.g., Polypodium) and mosses. This had grown to 38 genera by 1806 and has continued to grow since then.
  • Ferns were formerly categorized as Filices and later as Pteridophyta or Filicophyta Divisions of the Plant Kingdom. Because it is paraphyletic, Pteridophyta is no longer recognized as a valid taxon. 
  • Polypodiophyta or, when seen as a subdivision of Tracheophyta (vascular plants), Polypodiopsida; however, this word frequently exclusively refers to leptosporangiate ferns.
  • Historically, all spore-producing vascular plants were referred to as pteridophytes, making the term synonymous with ferns and fern allies. This can be perplexing because members of the Pteridophyta division were also referred to as pteridophytes.

ECOLOGY

  • Ferns are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the tropics and the least in the Arctic. Tropical rainforests have the most diversity. The fern is an emblem of New Zealand, with over 230 species spread across the country.
  • Ferns can be found in a wide range of settings, from inaccessible mountain peaks to desert rock walls, sources of water, and open plains. Ferns, in general, are regarded to be experts in marginal habitats, often prospering where flowering plants fail due to a variety of environmental conditions.
  • Some ferns are among the world’s most dangerous weeds, such as the bracken fern in the Scottish highlands and the mosquito fern (Azolla) in tropical lakes, creating vast, aggressively expanding colonies.
  • Ferns are vascular plants that differ from lycophytes because they have real leaves (megaphylls) that are often pinnate. They vary from seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) in that they reproduce through spores and lack flowers and seeds. 
  • Like all terrestrial plants, they have an alternation of generations life cycle, characterized by alternating diploid sporophytic and haploid gametophytic stages.
  • A typical fern’s life cycle goes as shown in the image below:

USES OF FERNS

  • Ferns serve as a vital phytogenetic link between lower and higher plants. Humans have historically used them in various ways, including ornamental plants, domestic items, meals, and handicrafts. They have also been used as medicinal plants.
  • There are almost 12,000 species of ferns globally, most of which are native to tropical and subtropical regions. There are over 2600 species in China, with over 300 employed in traditional Chinese medicine.
  • Ferns include a variety of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and steroids, according to phytochemical studies. These molecules’ structures are frequently distinct from those of comparable secondary metabolites generated by higher plants, making them a potentially rich source of chemical variety.

COMMON TYPES OF FERNS

TAKING CARE OF FERNS AT HOME

  • Ferns are the oldest plants on the earth, having existed before the dinosaurs and surviving centuries of natural disasters that have wiped off species. 
  • Ferns have few requirements, and if they are met, your ferns will be happy for the rest of their lives. A fern can live for over a century if properly cared for. Here are some fern care tips:

Fern Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Ferns across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Ferns. Ferns are plants that lack flowers. They reproduce primarily through the production of spores. Ferns, like blooming plants, have roots, stalks, and leaves.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Fern Facts
  2. Dig In
  3. Fact or Bluff
  4. What is a Fern?
  5. Grow a Fern
  6. Hybrid Fern
  7. What Makes Fern a Fern?
  8. Define its Role
  9. Scavenger Hunt
  10. Ferns vs. Mosses
  11. Fern in Life

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ferns?

Ferns are a group of vascular plants that reproduce via spores rather than seeds. They belong to the division Pteridophyta and are characterized by their feather-like leaves, known as fronds.

How do ferns reproduce?

Ferns reproduce through spores. They produce specialized structures called sporangia on the undersides of their fronds. These sporangia release spores into the environment, which can develop into new fern plants if conditions are favorable.

Where are ferns commonly found in the natural world?

Ferns are found in a wide range of environments, from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands and even in some desert regions. They often thrive in areas with high humidity and can be found growing on forest floors, rocks, tree branches, and even as epiphytes.

What is the significance of ferns in ecosystems?

Ferns play several important roles in ecosystems. They help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, as their extensive root systems hold the soil together. Additionally, they provide habitat and food for various animals and insects. Some fern species are also used in traditional medicine and horticulture.

Do ferns have any unique adaptations?

Ferns have evolved several adaptations that help them thrive in their environments. One notable adaptation is their ability to photosynthesize in low-light conditions, making them well-suited for the forest understory. Many ferns also have rhizomes, underground stems that store energy and nutrients, allowing them to survive adverse conditions and regenerate after disturbances.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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