Kingdom: Plants
Phylum: Pterophyta
Energy: Ferns are autotrophs. This means that they get most of their energy from the sun. Autotrophs
are organisms that produce organic compounds from carbon dioxide as a source of carbon, and use light or inorganic chemical
compounds (that react) for obtaining energy.
Reproduction: Ferns reproduce by alternation of generations. This is when an organism alternates between
a haploid and a diploid generation. Ferns can also reproduce by sporophyte, which produces asexual spores (which are clones
of the mother plant being made). Sporangia (the spore-bearing sacs) are born in clusters called sori, which appear as brown
dots or streaks on the underside of the leaves. A fern does not have seeds.
other interesting reproduction facts:
- ferns need moisture to reproduce
- Ferns do not have pollen like flowering plants
- Haploid form of an organism- gametophyte (produces gametes)
- Diploid form of an organism- gametes fuse and form a zygote, from which sporophyte develops
