Polypodiophyta

Polypodiophyta

1. Polypodiophyta
Ivana Damnjanović

3. Structure and form
Vary in size from tiny floating forms
less than 1 cm to giant tropical tree
ferns up to 25 m tall
Fern leaves are megaphylls - Referred
to as fronds.
Typically divided into smaller
segments
Require external water for
reproduction

5. Leaf Anatomy

6. sori
sporangia
A sorus
sporangia
Sorus covered by
indusium

8. Reproduction
Spores released and grow into gametophytes called
prothalli
Prothalli are one cell thick, and have archegonia and
antheridia.
Zygote develops into young sporophyte.
Gametophyte, or portion of it, dies and leaves sporophyte
growing independently.
Prothalii

10. Developing sporophyte

11. gametophyte
sporophyte
•Gametophytes are
small, flat and
independent
(bearded heart)
•Gametophyte dies
as sporophyte
grows

12. Fossil relatives of ferns
Carboniferous,
320-250 million
years ago - Tree
ferns abundant.
Seeds found on
some of fossil
tree ferns.

14. Marattopsisa
Marattia

15. Polypodiopsida
Sticherus bifidus

16. Uses