This group contains all our photo galleries of plant life, belonging to the Taxonomic Class Polypodiopsida, the Leptosporangiate or True Ferns. The galleries of photos are sorted by their Taxonomic Genus and Species. Click on the photo to view the gallery contents.
Polypodiopsida is the largest group if living ferns with some 9000 species worldwide. Their large fronds make these ferns the most readily recognizable seedless vascular plants. Ferns live in environments ranging from the tropics to temperate forests. Although some species species survive in dry environments, most ferns are restricted to moist, shaded places. Almost a third of leptosporangiate fern species are epiphytes. The dominant stage of the fern's life cycle is the sporophyte which consists of large compound leaves called fronds. The fronds serve a dual role in that they are photosynthetic organs that also carry reproductive organs. On the underside of mature fronds sori form as small clusters. Spores are produced inside the sori and are then released into the air.