Crown fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crown fern |
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| Growing near the Buller River, New Zealand | |
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The crown fern, also known by its Māori name piupiu, is a type of fern found only in New Zealand. Its scientific name is Lomaria discolor, but it is also known as Blechnum discolor. It belongs to the Blechnaceae family of ferns.
You can often spot crown ferns growing in many different forest areas across New Zealand. Sometimes, they even form a thick layer on the forest floor, making them a very important part of the understory (the plants growing beneath the main trees).
About Crown Ferns
Crown ferns are special because they are endemic to New Zealand. This means they naturally grow nowhere else in the world. They are a common sight in New Zealand's native forests.
How Crown Ferns Grow
Crown ferns have two main types of fronds (leaves). Some fronds are flat and spread out, forming a "crown" shape, which gives the fern its common name. These fronds are usually a bright green color.
Other fronds are special because they produce spores. These fronds stand up taller and look different from the regular fronds. They often appear dark and shrivelled, and their job is to release tiny spores that help the fern reproduce and spread.
