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Aquatic Plant Gallery

Fern

Ferns are true plant.  The fruit grows on the back of the leaf.  Ferns must have water for their spores to germinate so are found in damp or swampy areas.

Dryopteridaceae - Wood Fern family

Common Woodsia (Blunt-lobed Woodsia) Woodsia obtusa

Fern grows to 18" tall and twice as wide.

Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006

(Native of Texas)

Blechnaceae (Polypodiaceae) - Deerfern family

Netted Chain Fern Woodwardia areolata

Sterile frond.  Leaflets (pinnae) are alternate.  A fertile frond has narrow leaflets (pinnae) and chain-like bumps (sori) on the back containing spores.  Fronds grow 18"-24" tall.  Leaf stalk (stripe) is dull green, scaly on the underside, and the base is reddish.

Photos taken in Smith County, Texas, November 2006

(Native of east Texas)

Similar Species

Blechnaceae (Polypodiaceae) - Deerfern family

Virginia Chain Fern Woodwardia virginica

Leaflets (pinnae) are alternate and more lobed.

(Native of east Texas)

Dryopteridaceae - Wood Fern family

Sensitive Fern (Bead Fern) Onoclea sensibilis

Leaflets (pinnae) are opposite.  Sterile frond is similar to that of the Netted Chain Fern but leaflets (pinnae) are wider and deeply lobed.  A fertile frond leaflets (pinnae) are almost all spore cases (sori) shaped like beads.  Fronds grow 18"-24" tall.  Leaf stalk (stripe) is yellow or tan, some scales on the underside, and the base is dark brown.

(Native of east Texas)

Dennstaedtiaceae - Bracken family

Western Bracken Fern Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum

This plant (not the specific variation) can be found all over the world except in cold or dry areas. Leaflets (pinnae) are alternate.  Plant can grow to 3-5 feet tall.  Spores grow along the underside edge of the leaflets (pinnae).  Leaf stalk (stripe) is green, smooth on the underside, and the base is dark brown.  The rhizomes can grow to 1"  wide and 20 feet long and 10 feet deep.  Toxic, contains carcinogens.  In clear-cut it becomes dominant because it can produce substances that prevent growth of woody plants.  Its Rhizomes survive fire damage and the spores like the alkaline soil of ashes.

Photos taken in Smith County, Texas, November 2006

(Native of east Texas)

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