To identify a fern with a simple frond, begin with the first question below and continue until you get a "yes" answer.
1. Do the fronds look like very thin, branched green sticks, often growing in clumps? YES, or 1. Are the fronds slender and hanging like bunches of dark green linguine, the edges slightly curled under? YES, or 1. Are the fronds narrow and arching, with sori along the midvein? YES, or 1. Are the fronds wider than 1/2" each at the widest point, strap-shaped, and noticeably serrated along the edges? YES, or 1. Are the fronds wider than 1/2" each at the widest point, strap-shaped, and relatively smooth along the edges? YES, or 1. Are there two distinct fronds: one (sterile) looks very leaflike, fleshy, essentially flat; the other (fertile) a straight, thin spike? YES. There are no more simple frond questions. If it is a simple frond, the answer to one of these six questions will be a "yes." |
 |
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Psilotum nudum
(Whisk Fern)
simple frond
|
|
|
slender, creeping, branched, dark, hairy |
| Spores | sporangia are solitary, three-chambered, yellow to yellow-brown, infrequent, and at base of scales on branches (photo above right) |
| Veins | none |
| Growth | forms large clumps in crooks and crannies of trees and is occasionally terrestrial at tree bases and on fallen logs and hummocks in low wet woods |
| Similar | none |
| Note | this is a "fern ally," which is not a true fern but an example of the oldest form of land plant with a vascular system |
Vittaria lineata
(Shoestring Fern, Grass Fern)
simple frond
|
|
|
short-creeping with minute iridescent scales |
| Spores | occur in a line along the margin of each frond; they are on the underside of the blade, under rolled edges |
| Veins | present but not noticeable |
| Growth | epiphytic on trunks of cabbage palms and occasionally palmettos and oaks; not deciduous but seems to go dormant at Corkscrew during prolonged drydowns and cold weather |
| Similar | Campyloneurum augustifolium (Narrow Strap Fern)
|
Campyloneurum
augustifolium
(Narrow Strap Fern)
simple frond
|
|
|
short-creeping |
| Spores | round in one or two noticeable rows on either side of central vein |
| Veins | inconspicuous but slightly curved |
| Growth | epiphytic on bases of pond apples or oaks in hammocks |
| Similar | Vittaria lineata (Shoestring Fern)
|
Asplenium serratum
(Birdnest Fern, American Bird's-Nest Fern, Wild Birdnest Fern)
simple frond
|
|
|
short-creeping |
| Spores | along lateral veins extending from rachis to about 1/2 to 1/3 the way to the leaf margin; appear to be long brown lines rather than individual dots |
| Veins | conspicuous, parallel |
| Growth | bases of trees and rotten logs and stumps, usually in swamps |
| Similar | Campyloneurum phyllitidis (Strap Fern)
|
Campyloneurum
phyllitidis
(Strap Fern, Long Strap Fern)
simple frond
|
|
|
short-creeping, scaly |
| Spores | sori appear as small dots in two rows between each major vein, scattered throughout the underside of the frond (photo above right) |
| Veins | prominent; netted (angled in a herringbone pattern along the midrib of the frond |
| Growth | epiphytic; usually grows as a clump on fallen tree trunks, stumps, cypress knees, or other places rich in organic debris |
| Similar | Asplenium serratum (Bird's Nest Fern)
|
Ophioglossum
petiolatum
(Stalked Adder's-Tongue)
simple frond
|
|
|
pale brown, propogates with root buds which form small colonies |
| Spores | born in crowded rows at the end of the fertile blade |
| Veins | form areoles on sterile blades |
| Growth | terrestrial; moist open areas |
| Similar | Ophioglossum nudicaule (Slender Adder's-Tongue)
|