Ferns

Referring to the evolution of landplants, ferns stay between the simply constructed mosses and the vascular plants, which are highly adapted to life on the main land. Ferns already possess well differentiated roots, stem axes, and leaves. Because of their sensitive leaves and their way of reproduction, however, they are restricted to more or less humid stands. Clubmosses and horsetails hold a similar evolutionary position and are grouped together with the ferns (pteridophyts). The figure shows leaves of the hard-fern (Blechnum spicant).