Fern fronds that move like pine cones: humidity-driven motion of fertile leaflets governs the timing of spore dispersal in a widespread fern species.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis, is a widespread species in eastern North America and has an atypical timing of spore dispersal among temperate ferns. During early summer, this dimorphic species produces heavily modified spore-bearing fronds with leaflets tightly enveloping their sporangia and spores. These fronds senesce and persist above ground as dead mature structures until the following early spring when the leaflets finally open and spores are dispersed. While this timing of spore dispersal has been observed for over 120 years, the structural mechanisms underpinning this phenology have remained elusive.

Methods

Based on field observations, growth chamber manipulations and scanning electron microscopy, the mechanisms underlying this distinctiv

SUBMITTER: Suissa JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9007102 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature