Ferns |
Ferns have roots, stems and leaves but no seeds. They reproduce by spores. There are about 12,000 species of fern. |
Growing Up
Large and Small Ferns come in all sizes. Tree ferns grow in the tropics and subtropics. Their large trunks can support fronds up to eight feet long! |
More Spores Ferns don't have seeds, they have spores. The spores are usually on the underside of the fronds. To reproduce, the fern releases the spores into the air. The spores don't grow into new ferns. They grow into something called a prothallus. This is the gametophyte stage of the fern. The prothallus produces a sperm and an egg cell. The sperm fertilizes the egg. The fertilized egg grows into a new fern, which will produce spores and start the process all over again! Images
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