AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The leaves of ferns are often called fronds. Fronds are usually composed of a leafy blade and petiole (leaf stalk).

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -Pteridopsida (true ferns) have more than 10, 000 species and make up the majority of living monilophytes (all classes of Pteridophyta except lycophytes). Their leaves are called fronds because of apical growth; young leaves are coiled into fiddleheads (Figure 6.2. 2).

Detailed explanation-4: -A compound leaf-that is, a leaf with many fine and deep divisions-is a frond, such as on ferns and palm trees. Although commonly referring to the leafy part of a fern or palm, the noun frond can also refer to anything that has a similar shape to a palm frond or fern frond.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.