Ferns

When you think of a fern, what comes to mind? The term “fern” broadly refers to a group of plants that does not create flowers or seeds, reproducing by spores instead. Ferns generally have broad, flat, green leaves that branch out from a central point.

Ferns are some of the oldest known vascular plants, or plants that have special tissues to carry water and nutrients through their structure. The fossil record shows evidence of ferns before the existence of dinosaurs, dating back hundreds of millions of years ago to the Devonian Period. Ferns may have been a valuable food source for early herbivores. Many types of ferns grow throughout the monument, where they are an important part of the forest ecosystem.

Most ferns grow using rhizomes, root-like stems that spread horizontally underground. These structures allow ferns to outlast harsh conditions. Even if a fern’s fronds die, rhizomes can survive and produce a new plant. This underground network of life makes ferns especially hearty.

Habitat

Ferns grow best in areas that receive significant water. They thrive in wet environments where the soil remains continuously damp. Most ferns prefer low light, and grow in large groups, blanketing the forest floor.

Ferns can grow in a variety of substrates, not just dirt. Plants that can grow on other vegetation or objects are called epiphytes. Certain types of ferns are epiphytes, finding space to thrive on tree bark and rocks.

Take mental note of where you see ferns growing in the monument. Does the environment fit this description?

Fern Structure

Frond: the full leaf structure of a fern.

Blade: the leafy portion of a frond, excluding the stalk.

Apex: the top-most tip of a frond

Petiole: leaf stalk

Fiddleheads: an unrolling frond.