Division filicinophyta (pteridophyta)

1. They are vascular; they have xylem and phloem.
2. Ferns have leaves (called fronds), stem and root. A frond has small 'leaflets' called pinnae (singular pinna) which are connected to the rachis. The rachis is the middle part of the frond. It is connected to the rhizome which is the short stem at the base.
3. The life cycle of ferns involves alternation of generations.
4. The sperm swims toward the female egg through water. Fertilization produces a zygote (fertilized egg). The zygote grows into a new plant (sporophyte) that has leaves, a stem and roots.
5. The fern plant has spore-producing organs called sporangia (singular sporangium) on the underside of the leaves. The sporangia are arranged in compact groups called sori (singular sorus).

When the spores are mature, the sporangia release them into the air. A spore germinates in an environment that is suitable for its development. What germinates is called a prothallus. The prothallus has antheridia and archegonia which produce sperm and egg respectively.

1. Many types of ferns are grown as ornament in homes and offices.
2. In some parts of the world, the fiddlehead of some types of fern is eaten.
3. In southern Asia, ferns are used as a biological fertilizer. They are able to convert nitrogen from the air into compounds that can be used by rice plants.
4. Ferns are major components of coal, a fossil fuel which is made up of the remains of primitive plants.
5. Ferns serve as food for various wild animals.

1. Ferns can be found as weeds in many places. The giant water fern is one of the world's worst aquatic weeds.
2. Ferns don't reproduce with seeds so they don't spread as much as plants that produce seeds.