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Frond

The leaf of a fern, i.e. frond.

The leaf of a fern. These are called fronds to distinguish them from the leaves of flowering plants. Leaves in flowering plants are purely concerned with photosynthesis whereas fern fronds have both a photosynthetic function and a reproductive function. Each fern plant may have from one to many fronds. They may be as small as 1 cm (filmy ferns) or as large as 5 m (mamaku/black tree fern).

Image acknowledgement: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Rights: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Published:29 March 2015Size: 165.75 KB