Ferns: How New Ferns Grow

Ferns form spores, as do all seedless plants. Some ferns carry their spores on tall stalks. Others carry the spores under their leaves or on their stems. Wind carries away the spores.

If a spore lands in a place with good growing conditions, a new plant grows. This plant does not look like the fern that made the spores. It is tiny, with one heart-shaped leaf. The little plant is called a prothallus, which means “first growth.” It makes male and female reproductive cells. When a male and a female cell join, the little plant grows into a fern. The fern will make more spores, beginning the cycle again.

When you see a plant shaped like the top end of violins, you know you are looking at a newly growing fern.View Larger Image

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