Chapter 4 Section 4 Ferns and Their Relatives

Characteristics of Seedless Vascular Plants Ferns and their relatives share two characteristics. They have vascular tissue and use spores to reproduce.

Vascular Tissue Vascular tissue transports water quickly and efficiently throughout the plant’s body. It also transports the food produced in the leaves to other parts of the plant.

Ferns Have true stems, roots, and leaves (fronds) Stems are under ground Roots help anchor them to the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Fern Reproduction On the underside of mature fronds, spores develop in tiny spore cases. When the spores are released, wind and water can carry them. If a spore lands in moist, shaded soil, it develops into gametophyte.

Importance of Ferns Popular Houseplants, Some people eat them Pockets in the leaves provide a home for bacteria which produces a natural fertilizer that helps rice plants grow