Woodland plants · Farne (verschiedene Arten)
Discovering ferns
A leaf that has to unroll! Puschel marvels at a young fern frond. What patterns can you spot in its many leaflets?
The short answer
Fern leaves are called fronds. In many ferns, young fronds start curled and unfold as they grow. Ferns make no flowers or seeds. They produce tiny spores instead; through further stages of development, a spore can lead to a new fern.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Puschel stops by a green spiral. ‘Is that a tiny forest sign?’
Flauschi points to the tall fronds nearby. ‘Look, a fern frond can unfold from it.’ Puschel looks again: the young tip is slender and curled, not a little animal.
They leave the fern growing and look for more fronds with their eyes.
Plant clues
Three things to notice
Fronds
Fern leaves are called fronds. Many are finely divided.
Young tip
In many ferns, a new frond starts curled and gradually unfurls.
Spores
Brown clusters of tiny spore cases occur beneath some mature fronds. Spores form inside these cases. Ferns do not make flowers.
Mini quiz
What do you remember?
1. How does a young frond start in many ferns?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)Already spread flat
- b)Folded into a bud
- c)Curled
Show answer
Correct answer: c): Curled Curled. It unfurls as it grows.
2. Where can clusters of spore cases occur on some ferns?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)On the roots
- b)Beneath mature fronds
- c)On top of young fronds
Show answer
Correct answer: b): Beneath mature fronds On the underside of mature fronds.
Word help
- spore
- A tiny unit that helps fungi or ferns spread. In suitable conditions it can start further development. It is not a seed.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
How does a fern reproduce without flowers?
The brown dots underneath many fern fronds are clusters of tiny spore cases. Spores are very small dispersal units, not seeds. In suitable damp conditions, a spore can first grow into a tiny plant called a gametophyte. Another reproductive stage is needed before a new fern develops.
Compare and understand
The large fern and tiny gametophyte are different stages of the same life cycle. Not every frond has spore cases, and not every brown patch is one. Draw a frond from the path rather than pulling or turning wild fronds over for this activity.