Story: Ferns and lycophytes

Hen and chickens fern budding

Hen and chickens fern budding

Hen and chickens ferns bud off tiny replicas of themselves from the upper surface of their fronds. The parent (‘hen’) frond may droop to the ground under the weight of the ‘chickens’, or it may die and drop off, carrying the little ferns down to the ground, where they take root and grow.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10049930
Photograph by B. Smith

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How to cite this page:

Patrick Brownsey, 'Ferns and lycophytes - Reproduction', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10867/hen-and-chickens-fern-budding (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Patrick Brownsey, published 24 Sep 2007