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This fern has broader, oblong fronds in comparison to the Polypodium lingua, whose fronds are between 4 and 8 inches in lngeth, and 1 to 4 inches in width.

Polypodium Lingua Heteractis

This fern has broader, oblong fronds in comparison to the Polypodium lingua, whose fronds are between…

"Equisetum sylvaticum: a, a, sheath crowned with teeth; b, branches; c, c, fruiting spikes. 2. Clypeola, bearing sporangia. 3. Spore, with elaters coiled about it." -Whitney, 1911

Wood Horsetail

"Equisetum sylvaticum: a, a, sheath crowned with teeth; b, branches; c, c, fruiting spikes. 2. Clypeola,…

This hybrid species of fern features vascular roots.

Fern Hybrid

This hybrid species of fern features vascular roots.

The hymenophyllaceae order consists of very delicate ferns. The cyatheaceae order usually consists of tree ferns with large leaves. The polypodiaceae order consists of ferns of very diverse habit.

Hymenophyllaceae, Cyatheaceae, and Polypodiaceae

The hymenophyllaceae order consists of very delicate ferns. The cyatheaceae order usually consists of…

The common name of hymenophyllum is Filmy Fern. The falklandicum variety is native to the Falkan Islands. The fronds are one to two inches long.

Hymenophyllum Falklandicum

The common name of hymenophyllum is Filmy Fern. The falklandicum variety is native to the Falkan Islands.…

The common name of hymenophyllum is filmy fern. The turbridgense variety has oblong fronds that taper to a point. The fern is native to temperate regions.

Hymenophyllum Turbridgense

The common name of hymenophyllum is filmy fern. The turbridgense variety has oblong fronds that taper…

The common name of hymenophyllum is filmy fern. The unilaterale variety has dark green, rigid fronds. This fern is native to Great Britain.

Habit and Detached Pinna with Involucre of Hymenophyllum Unilaterale

The common name of hymenophyllum is filmy fern. The unilaterale variety has dark green, rigid fronds.…

The lady fern in the popular name of the fern 'Asplenium filix-foemina'. It is variable in size and detail, of very graceful habit, and of thin, almost transparent texture, with conspicuous venation. Its color is a most delicate green. The fronds are lanceolate and bipinnate, and are developed from the summit of the caudex. Many varieties are found wild, such as 'marinum', whose fronds taper from their centers toward either extremity; 'latifolium'; and 'convexum', whose fronds are much narrower than in the common type. The lady fern and its varieties are easily cultivated in any damp, shady spot.

Lady Fern

The lady fern in the popular name of the fern 'Asplenium filix-foemina'. It is variable in size and…

An illustration of a fossil of a toothed fern. Ferns are vascular plants differing from the more primitive lycophytes by having true leaves (megaphylls), and they differ from seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) in their mode of reproduction — lacking flowers and seeds. Like all other vascular plants, they have a life cycle referred to as alternation of generations, characterized by a diploid sporophytic and a haploid gametophytic phase.

Leaf Indentations

An illustration of a fossil of a toothed fern. Ferns are vascular plants differing from the more primitive…

This is the leaf of the common fern, or brake. On the back of the leaf are spores.

Fern Leaf

This is the leaf of the common fern, or brake. On the back of the leaf are spores.

A slender-fronded fern with straw-colored leaves. The fronds can reach between 9 inches and 12 inches in length. It is commonly found in Brazil.

Pteris Leptophylla

A slender-fronded fern with straw-colored leaves. The fronds can reach between 9 inches and 12 inches…

Lindsaya reniformis is a rare species of fern. The fronds are two to four inches across. The fronds are sometimes lobed.

Lindsaya Reniformis

Lindsaya reniformis is a rare species of fern. The fronds are two to four inches across. The fronds…

The rhizome of the lomaria alpina stem is slender and wide creeping. There are both barren and fertile fronds.

Lomaria Alpina

The rhizome of the lomaria alpina stem is slender and wide creeping. There are both barren and fertile…

Lomaria gibba robusta is a garden form. The habit is robust.

Lomaria Gibba Robusta

Lomaria gibba robusta is a garden form. The habit is robust.

The tips of the lomaria spicant trinervis coronans fern have a large crest at the end.

Lomaria Spicant Trinvervis Coronans

The tips of the lomaria spicant trinervis coronans fern have a large crest at the end.

"Moonwort, or moon—fern, in botany belonging to the order Ophioglossaceae. It has a tuberous root—stock and a stout fleshy glabrous fround 3 to 6 in. long, with a sterile and fertile portion." —Encyclopaedia Britannica

Botrychium Lunaria Moonwort Fern with Root

"Moonwort, or moon—fern, in botany belonging to the order Ophioglossaceae. It has a tuberous root—stock…

The primary leafstalk of lygodium japonicum is very short. The secondary leafstalk is a half inch to one inch long. This fern can be found from Japan to Australia.

Habit and Portion of Detached Frond of Lygodium Japonicum

The primary leafstalk of lygodium japonicum is very short. The secondary leafstalk is a half inch to…

The Common Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is a species of male fern in the Dryopteridaceae family.

Common Male Fern

The Common Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is a species of male fern in the Dryopteridaceae family.

The order marattiaceae, and the maratiia family, consists of stately tropical ferns with thickened, often erect, stems. The leaves are usually very large. The ophioglossaceae order has plants of small or medium size, often somewhat fleshy.

Marattiaceae and Ophioglossaceae

The order marattiaceae, and the maratiia family, consists of stately tropical ferns with thickened,…

Meniscium simplex is a stove fern. The barren fronds are four to six inches long and the fertile are one foot or more long.

Meniscium Simplex

Meniscium simplex is a stove fern. The barren fronds are four to six inches long and the fertile are…

Nephrodium fragrans ferns have fronds that are six to nine inches long. The fronds are oblong and lance shaped.

Nephrodium Fragrans

Nephrodium fragrans ferns have fronds that are six to nine inches long. The fronds are oblong and lance…

The nephrodium leuzeanum fern has fronds that are four to six feet long. The pinnae are about one to one and a half feet long. This fern can be found from North India to Fiji.

Habit and Detached Pinnule of Nephrodium Leuzeanum

The nephrodium leuzeanum fern has fronds that are four to six feet long. The pinnae are about one to…

Nephrodium molle corymbiferum has branched fronds that are one to two feet long. The top of each branch has a large crest.

Nephrodium Molle Corymbiferum

Nephrodium molle corymbiferum has branched fronds that are one to two feet long. The top of each branch…

Nephrodium molle grandiceps is a large garden variety with a large terminal crest.

Nephrodium Molle Grandiceps

Nephrodium molle grandiceps is a large garden variety with a large terminal crest.

Nephrodium patens cristata is a garden form with the pinnae curiously forked and crested.

Nephrodium Patens Cristata

Nephrodium patens cristata is a garden form with the pinnae curiously forked and crested.

Pictured are a portion of the frond and detached pinna of the nephrolepis davallioides furcans fern. This fern is a beautiful and crested variety. The arching fronds are three to four feet long.

Nephrolepis Davallioides Furcans

Pictured are a portion of the frond and detached pinna of the nephrolepis davallioides furcans fern.…

The fronds of the nephrolepis davallioides fern are drooping and two to three feet long. This fern is said to be the handsomest of the genus.

Habit and Portion of Detached Frond of Nephrolepis Davallioides

The fronds of the nephrolepis davallioides fern are drooping and two to three feet long. This fern is…

Pictured are the habit and a portion of the detached frond of nephrolepis duffii. The fronds are tufted and about two feet long. The tip is two or three times forked.

Nephrolepis Duffii

Pictured are the habit and a portion of the detached frond of nephrolepis duffii. The fronds are tufted…

An illustration of section through a pinnule of the frond and sorus of Aspidium: b, mesophyll; sch, indusium; sp, sporangium; st, its stalk; r, annulus.

Section of a Nephrolepis

An illustration of section through a pinnule of the frond and sorus of Aspidium: b, mesophyll; sch,…

Nothochlaena nivea hookeri ferns have dilated segments and leaves attached at the base.

Frond of Nothochlaena Nivea Hookeri

Nothochlaena nivea hookeri ferns have dilated segments and leaves attached at the base.

Nothochlaena fronds are one to two feet long and one to two inches broad.

Frond of Nothochlaena Sinuata

Nothochlaena fronds are one to two feet long and one to two inches broad.

The fronds of nothochlaena trichomanoides are six to twelve inches long and about to one and a half inches broad. The lower surface is clothed with white powder and fine, woolly hairs.

Frond of Nothochlaena Trichomanoides

The fronds of nothochlaena trichomanoides are six to twelve inches long and about to one and a half…

Ophioglossum vulgatum ambiguum is a smaller form of common adler's tongue. The spike is one to two inches in length.

Ophioglossum Vulgatum Ambiguum

Ophioglossum vulgatum ambiguum is a smaller form of common adler's tongue. The spike is one to two inches…

Osmunda cinnamomea ferns are densely tufted. The barren and fertile fronds are distinct.

Osmunda Cinnamomea

Osmunda cinnamomea ferns are densely tufted. The barren and fertile fronds are distinct.

The fronds of osmunda claytoniana are one to two feet long. This fern can be found in North America and the Himalayas.

Osmunda Claytoniana

The fronds of osmunda claytoniana are one to two feet long. This fern can be found in North America…

Osmunda regalis corymbifera is a variety of royal fern. This fern has curiously forked and crested fronds.

Osmunda Regalis Corymbifera

Osmunda regalis corymbifera is a variety of royal fern. This fern has curiously forked and crested fronds.

A fern with short, ovate fronds.

Polypodium Lycopodioides Owariense

A fern with short, ovate fronds.

A pan designed to hold growing fern plants.

Fern Pan

A pan designed to hold growing fern plants.

The common name of pellaea is cliff brake fern. The brachyptera variety is a greenhouse fern. The fronds are four to six inches long.

Pellaea Brachyptera

The common name of pellaea is cliff brake fern. The brachyptera variety is a greenhouse fern. The fronds…

Pellaea hastata fronds are six inches to two feet long. The fern is native to South Africa.

Pellaea Hastata

Pellaea hastata fronds are six inches to two feet long. The fern is native to South Africa.

Pellaea rotundifolia has round leaves. The fronds are six to twelve inches long. There are ten to twenty leaves on each side of the stems.

Pellaea Rotundifolia

Pellaea rotundifolia has round leaves. The fronds are six to twelve inches long. There are ten to twenty…

A stout fern with brown scales. Fronds range between 1 foot and 3 feet in length, and 1 inch in width.

Polypodium Phyllitidis

A stout fern with brown scales. Fronds range between 1 foot and 3 feet in length, and 1 inch in width.

A wide-creeping fern with squarrose scales. Fertile fronds are narrow and long, whereas the barren ones are oblong, between 1 inch and 3 inches long.

Polypodium Piloselloides

A wide-creeping fern with squarrose scales. Fertile fronds are narrow and long, whereas the barren ones…

An illustration of a pinnule of polypodium showing veins and sori.

Pinnule of Polypodium

An illustration of a pinnule of polypodium showing veins and sori.

An illustration of a young prothallus: sp, spore; pr, prothallus. A prothallium, or prothallus is usually a pteridophyte, i.e. spore-bearing plant, (almost exclusively ferns) in gametophyte stage in the alternation of generations cycle.

Young Prothallus of Fern

An illustration of a young prothallus: sp, spore; pr, prothallus. A prothallium, or prothallus is usually…

An illustration of a microscopic view under the surface of a young prothallus: pr, prothallus; w, root-hairs; an, antheridia; ar, archegonia. A prothallium, or prothallus is usually a pteridophyte, i.e. spore-bearing plant, (almost exclusively ferns) in gametophyte stage in the alternation of generations cycle.

Young Prothallus of Fern

An illustration of a microscopic view under the surface of a young prothallus: pr, prothallus; w, root-hairs;…

The flat, heart shaped body which results from the development of a spore of a fern.

Prothallus (under side)

The flat, heart shaped body which results from the development of a spore of a fern.

An illustration of a pinnule of pteris showing veins and sori.

Pinnule of Pteris

An illustration of a pinnule of pteris showing veins and sori.

A woody fern with numerous branches and dark brown, squarrose scales. They are commonly found in New Zealand and Australia.

Polypodium Pustulatum

A woody fern with numerous branches and dark brown, squarrose scales. They are commonly found in New…

Royal fern is the common name of osmunda regalis. The fronds are two to six feet long. This fern is native to Great Britain.

Portion of Fertile Frond of Royal Fern

Royal fern is the common name of osmunda regalis. The fronds are two to six feet long. This fern is…

An arrow-fronded fern with blackish, long leaves. They are common between Venezuela and Brazil.

Pteris Sagittifolia

An arrow-fronded fern with blackish, long leaves. They are common between Venezuela and Brazil.

A wide-creeping fern with long reddish-brown fronds, which grow to be approximately 1 foot in length. They are usually found in New Zealand.

Pteris Scaberula

A wide-creeping fern with long reddish-brown fronds, which grow to be approximately 1 foot in length.…

The spore-case of Schizaea dichotoma, a fern from the Polypodiaceae family.

Schizaea

The spore-case of Schizaea dichotoma, a fern from the Polypodiaceae family.

Schizaeaceae: 1, aneimia, sporangium. Osmundaceae: 2, Osmunda, sporangium; a, front view, b, back view. Salviniaceae: 3, salvinia, a, whole plant; b, section of sporocarps showing sporangia. Marsileaceae: 4, marsilea, a, whole plant; b, sporocarp germinating; c, sporocarp emitting gelatinous thread with sori; 5, pilularia, a, cross section of sporocarp; b, sporocarp emitting sporangia.

Schizaeaceae, Osmundaceae, Salviniaceae, and Marrsileaceae

Schizaeaceae: 1, aneimia, sporangium. Osmundaceae: 2, Osmunda, sporangium; a, front view, b, back view.…

A bright brown fern with fronds reaching between 1 foot and 1.5 feet. They are commonly found in the East Indies.

Pteris Semipinnata

A bright brown fern with fronds reaching between 1 foot and 1.5 feet. They are commonly found in the…

An illustration of a germinating spore of the common polypody: sp, exospore; k, first root-hair.

Germinating Spore of the Common Polypody

An illustration of a germinating spore of the common polypody: sp, exospore; k, first root-hair.

An illustration of a germinating spore of the common polypody: sp, exospore; k, first root-hair.

Germinating Spore of the Common Polypody

An illustration of a germinating spore of the common polypody: sp, exospore; k, first root-hair.

A wide-creeping fern with reddish-brown scales. The fronds of this fern are approximately 2 feet in length, and 1 to 3 inches broad.

Polypodium Stigmaticum

A wide-creeping fern with reddish-brown scales. The fronds of this fern are approximately 2 feet in…

A slender-fronded fern with pinnae that are narrower than those of a regular Pteris serrulata, and has saw-edged leaves. They are commonly found in China.

Pteris Serrulata Tenuifolia

A slender-fronded fern with pinnae that are narrower than those of a regular Pteris serrulata, and has…

"Scalariform or ladder-like prismatic vessels of a Tree Fern." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Tree Fern

"Scalariform or ladder-like prismatic vessels of a Tree Fern." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893