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NZ Plants
Juvenile and adult fronds
In some species, fronds formed by a juvenile fern are very different to those formed when the same plant reaches maturity. Because plants of different ages often grow together there is often a confusing mixture of leaf forms.
Fonds from juvenile (right) and adult (left) plants
Microsorum scandens, mokimoki, fragrant fern - The fronds from juvenile plants are undivided, those of the mature plants are pinnate and plants of intermediate age are a combination of both.
Fonds from juvenile (right) and adult (left) plants
Blechnum filaforme, thread fern - Fronds from both juvenile and mature plants are divided into leaflets but these differ in size and shape.
Fronds of the juvenile plant
Arthropteris tenella, jointed fern - Fronds from juvenile plants are undivided or partially divided into small, round leaflets.
Fronds of the mature plant
Arthropteris tenella - Fronds from mature plants are much larger and entirely pinnate with numerous long, narrow leaflets.
