Ferns and Other Primitive Plants
Plants of an ancient nature, found today.
Images 1 to 5 of 49
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West Peak / Metacomet Trail - Ferns in Sun Two ferns catch the sunlight on the west side of the West Peak section of the Metacomet Trail. This is probably a wood fern. See also… 5/28/2005 |
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Harts Pond / Fall - Royal Fern The Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) is a frequent inhabitant of swampy areas, and this spot alongside Harts Pond is no exception. The fern itself is long lived (up to 100 years) and rises from a rhizome (root system) that is complex and thatched. Spores form on the tips of the fertile fronds. A close look at the image shows some very shriveled leaves that may be the remains of the fertile fronds.
See also… 10/29/2005 |
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Harts Pond / Fall - Lycopodium digitatum Lycopodium digitatum, also known as fan clubmoss, like most primitive plants, reproduces with spores rather than seeds. These structures develop and disperse the spored. The threads may be spider webs covered with spores, or may be some side effect of the spore dispersal. Spores, unlike seeds, contain little or no nutrient material for the plant-to-be. In the early years of photography, lycopodium spores were used as flash powder due to their fine grain and combustibility. The spores land on the ground and form a special plant called a gametophyte, which bears male and female reproductive organs. The gametophyte emits sperm which fertilize an egg. The egg becomes the sporophyte, which grows into the mature plant. Flowering plants simplified this complex life cycle, which may be one reason for their outstanding success.
See also… 10/29/2005 |
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Harts Pond / Fall - Dried Fern Like most plants in the fall, the cells decay, losing proteins and leave behind only the papery cellulose. See also… 10/29/2005 |
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Harts Pond - Cinnamon Fern Spore Case This closeup of what may be a Cinnamon Fern fertile stalk shows the spore cases partly open and the detailed structure within. Cinnamon Ferns dedicate a subset of their stalks to reproduction, while the rest form leaves for photosynthesis. See also… 3/13/2005 |
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