Spores are produced on the underside of mature plants. These will germinate and grow into small, heart-shaped plants called gametophytes . The gametophytes produce both sperm and egg cells, and will fertilize itself, or others. Once the fertilization occurs, the adult fern will begin growing.
Why do ferns have spores?
Ferns do not flower but reproduce sexually from spores . ... Mature plants produce spores on the underside of the leaves. When these germinate they grow into small heart-shaped plants known as prothalli. Male and female cells are produced on these plants and after fertilisation occurs the adult fern begins to develop.
Why are spores important to ferns?
Plants we see as ferns or horsetails are the sporophyte generation. The sporophyte generally releases spores in the summer. Spores must land on a suitable surface , such as a moist protected area to germinate and grow into gametophytes.
Do ferns rely on spores?
The ferns and fern allies germinate from spores . These plants are mostly homosporous – their spores are identical and you can't differentiate which will grow into male or female plants. They are also monoecious – both the archegonia and antheridia (male and female reproductive structures) are borne on the same plant.
Why do ferns and mosses need spores?
To reproduce sexually, mosses and ferns produce sperm and eggs . ... Ferns produce spores on the undersides of their fronds in cases called sporangia, and mosses produce their spores in capsules that are borne on the ends of stalks.
How long do fern spores last?
Most can be stored for up to a year if you keep them cool and dry. Sowing fern spores is not very different from the method used by most gardeners to start fine seeds indoors. There is one difference, though, and that is that fern seedlings are highly sensitive to contaminants (fungi, mold, moss, etc.).
How do fern spores spread?
The dispersal of spores in ferns takes place through the annulus on the plant – a cluster of cells arranged in an arc or ring on the sporangium. ... As the water continues to evaporate, a bubble of air forms inside each annulus plant cell, forcing the cell to snap open and release the spores.
What happens to the spores of ferns?
The sporangia are usually in clusters known as sori, found on the underside of the fern leaves. ... When the spores are mature, they are released from the sporangia. If a spore lands on a suitable site, it will germinate and grow via mitosis into a mature gametophyte plant . A gametophyte is the plant that produces gametes.
What is unique about fern life cycle?
The life cycle of the fern has two different stages; sporophyte, which releases spores, and gametophyte, which releases gametes . Gametophyte plants are haploid, sporophyte plants diploid. This type of life cycle is called alternation of generations. To follow the life cycle of the fern, begin at number one below.
Are fern spores male or female?
It is the most intimate look yet at the sex lives of ferns, which spawn not from seeds, but from spores. They mature into full plants known as gametophytes, which can be male, female, or hermaphroditic .
Why are spores of ferns light in weight?
They have spores which are light in weight . ... By having light spores, they can be easily carried away by the wind to different places in order to germinate and hence they find a suitable place to grow even when it is far away from the mother plant .
Where are spores located on a fern?
Fern Sori. Sori (singular: sorus) are groups of sporangia (singular: sporangium), which contain spores. Sori are usually found on the underside of the blade . Young sori are commonly covered by flaps of protective tissue called indusia (singular: indusium).
Where do ferns grow best?
Woodland ferns do best in high or dappled shade . The open shade of mature trees or the north side of the house or a wall, open to the sky, provide nearly ideal light conditions. Most woodland ferns will adapt to relatively low light levels, but no ferns thrive in deep shade.
What are characteristics of ferns?
Ferns are plants that do not have flowers. Ferns generally reproduce by producing spores. Similar to flowering plants, ferns have roots, stems and leaves .
What is the main difference between mosses and ferns?
The key difference between mosses and ferns is that mosses are small spore-producing non-vascular plants , while ferns are spore-producing vascular plants.
What protects the spores of fern from too much heat?
In many species of ferns, the sporangium is found on the underside of the leaves, or fronds, of the adult fern. ... In many species of ferns these sori are protected by an indusium which is a thin membrane that protects the underdeveloped spores and sori.
