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forked lineleaf fern

Scientific Name: Antrophyum cajenense

Family: Vittariaceae

Category: Fern

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

About Ferns and Fern Allies

Ferns are an ancient division of vascular plants, reproducing by spores rather than seeds. Often found beneath the canopy of trees, they are known for their leaf-like structures called fronds, which grow from a rootstock.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some ferns have leaves that fork, creating a potentially interesting texture that could attract pets.
  • Spores are produced on the underside of the fronds in clusters called sori, which may appear as dots or lines.

Considerations for Children

  • Fern fronds, with their forked tips, might be tempting for children to pick or play with.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Ferns belong to an ancient division of vascular plants.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Ferns possess true roots, stems, and complex leaves (fronds).
  • Fronds are leaf-like structures that grow from a rootstock.
  • Fronds can be variously forked or branched.
  • Sori (clusters of sporangia) are located on the back or margin of a frond, either in dots or lines.

Specific Ferns Mentioned:

  • Forked Spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale)
  • Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
  • Walking Leaf Fern
  • Shield Ferns
  • Old World Forkedfern (Dicranopteris linearis), also known as Uluhe or Climbing Fern
  • Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)

Similar Plants

  • Skeleton fork fern or Psilotum nudum

Habitat and Distribution

  • Ferns are often found beneath the canopy formed by the leaves of trees.
  • Some ferns can be found along the strand-line of dislodged plants along lake shores after gales.
  • Ferns in Tasmania have been classified into 101 species, with 81 ferns and 20 fern allies.

Interesting Features

  • Mutations can cause leaf forking (base forking, mid forking, tip splitters).