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NZ Plants
The fern frond
The leaves (fronds) of ferns are known as megaphylls (mega -, large + phyll -, leaf) and are derived from branches.
Undivided fronds
Loxogramme dictyopteris - These fronds are undivided (not divided into leaflets).
Divided fronds: pinnate, bipinnate
Most ferns have divided fronds. These may be once-cut (pinnate), twice cut (bipinnate), three times cut (tripinnate and so on. The terminology used is as follows: stipe - the stalk or base of the frond rachis - the continuation of the stipe into the blade blade (lamina) - photosynthetic portion of the frond pinna, (pl, pinnae) or leaflet- a segment of the leaf blade
Once divided or pinnate frond
Microsorum novae-zelandandiae - The frond midrib (rachis) bears a row of primary pinnae (leaflets).
Branching fronds
Gleichenia alpina, alpine tangle fern - The midrib (rachis) of a single frond branches several times with each tier of branches forming leaflets.
The coiling of young fronds
Cyathea medullaris, black tree fern, young frond with black hairs and scales - In nearly all ferns the young leaves are coiled (circinate) and are commonly referred to as "fiddleheads".
