AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Leaves. The leaves of ferns are often called fronds. Fronds are usually composed of a leafy blade and petiole (leaf stalk). Leaf shape, size, texture and degree of complexity vary considerably from species to species.

Detailed explanation-2: -These are called fronds to distinguish them from the leaves of flowering plants. Leaves in flowering plants are purely concerned with photosynthesis whereas fern fronds have both a photosynthetic function and a reproductive function. Each fern plant may have from one to many fronds.

Detailed explanation-3: -ˈfränd. : a large leaf (especially of a palm or fern) usually with many divisions. : a thallus or thalloid shoot (as of a lichen or seaweed) resembling a leaf. fronded.

Detailed explanation-4: -A leaf whose blade is divided into two or more different leaflets is called a compound leaf. Almost all ferns have pinnate leaves with one central axis and smaller branches. Such leaves are referred to as fronds.

Detailed explanation-5: -Shapes. The leaf (also known as frond) of ferns is the part of the plant most readily visible to observation. The leaf plan in practically all ferns is pinnate-that is, featherlike with a central axis and smaller side branches-and this is considered to be the primitive condition because of its widespread occurrence.