Anogramma leptophylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anogramma leptophylla |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Anogramma
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| Species: |
leptophylla
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| Synonyms | |
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Anogramma caespitosa |
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The Jersey fern (Anogramma leptophylla) is a type of fern. It belongs to the Pteridaceae family. You can find this fern in many parts of the world. It grows in places with mild or warm climates.
What makes it special is its life cycle. The main fern plant, called a sporophyte, usually lives for only one year. But its tiny early stage, called a gametophyte, can "sleep" for a long time. It can wait up to two and a half years. This waiting happens until the weather is just right for the sporophyte to grow.
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About the Jersey Fern
The Jersey fern is a small plant. It usually grows to be no taller than about 8 centimeters (3 inches). It has thin, delicate leaves called fronds. These fronds are divided twice, making them look feathery.
Only the fronds closer to the center of the plant can make spores. Spores are like seeds for ferns. On the underside of these fronds, you'll find long, thin cases. These cases hold the spores. They cover most of the roundish leaf parts. The edges of its leaves are flat, not curled.
Where the Jersey Fern Lives
The Jersey fern likes places near the ocean with mild weather. You can find it in the Mediterranean area. This includes places like southern France and Italy. It also grows widely across North America.
In the British Isles, the only place it lives is the island of Jersey. This island is part of the Channel Islands. The fern often grows on old walls and banks. It especially likes areas where there is granite rock underneath. It prefers bare soil that is moist but drains well. This is because it doesn't compete well with other plants.
Other Plants Near the Jersey Fern
Other plants that grow in the same places as the Jersey fern include the pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria lusitanica). In northern Italy, you might also see the Mediterranean clubmoss (Selaginella denticulata).
On the island of Elba, the Jersey fern grows near the clubmoss. It also lives with the liverwort Targionia hypophylla. Two types of mosses, Rhynchostegiella tenella and Timmiella anomala, are also found there.
These plants all love warmth. They can survive the winter by growing in special spots. These spots are usually where warm water seeps out of cracks in rocks. This creates a tiny, warm area, like a tropical microclimate, even in cooler regions.
See also
In Spanish: Anogramma leptophylla para niños
