Fern Leaves are often called Fronds.

Leaves can be Simple (one blade/petiole) or
Compound (more than one blade/petiole)

The individual units of a compound leaf are called Leaflets or Pinules if the organization is Pinnate.

The extension of the petiole to which the Leaflets of Compound Leaves are attached, is called the Rachis.

Approximately 85% of fern leaves have Pinnate organization.

However, leaves can be Palmate or Dichotomous.

Tree Fern Frond

Same as above but with Petiole Labeled

Some Fern Leaf Shapes
Fern Leaves with Pinnate Organization	Pinnate Compound	Bipinnate Compound
Simple with Pinnate Venation	Simple Dichotomous	Palmate or Dichotomous??? (Lygodium palmatum)

Circinate Vernation is Virtually Unique

Leaf Primordia are Tightly Coiled.

These are called "Fiddle Heads" or "Shepard's Crook"

Warning: Fiddleheads are sold commercially & are probabobly safe to eat. However, most fiddleheads contain poison. SO!! Do not eat fiddleheads gathered from nature!

The "Fiddle Heads" Unravel from the Base towards the Leaf Apex as the leaf expands & matures.

Fiddle Heads were here before the arrival of the infamous Cone Heads.

Fiddle Head at the onset of leaf development.

Fiddle Head with Leaves starting to uncoil

Nearly mature fern leaf: the tips of the Leaflets are still coiled. A mature leaf can be seen in the background.

Pterophyta - 7

Fern Leaves are Megaphylls.

They have More than One Vein/Blade

A Leaf Gap present in the Stele

Fern Leaves are often called Fronds.

Leaves can be Simple (one blade/petiole) or
Compound (more than one blade/petiole)

The individual units of a compound leaf are called Leaflets or Pinules if the organization is Pinnate.

The extension of the petiole to which the Leaflets of Compound Leaves are attached, is called the Rachis.

Approximately 85% of fern leaves have Pinnate organization.

However, leaves can be Palmate or Dichotomous.

Circinate Vernation is Virtually Unique

Pterophyta - 7

Fern Leaves are Megaphylls.

They have More than One Vein/Blade

A Leaf Gap present in the Stele

Fern Leaves are often called Fronds.

Leaves can be Simple (one blade/petiole) or Compound (more than one blade/petiole)

The individual units of a compound leaf are called Leaflets or Pinules if the organization is Pinnate.

The extension of the petiole to which the Leaflets of Compound Leaves are attached, is called the Rachis.

Approximately 85% of fern leaves have Pinnate organization.

However, leaves can be Palmate or Dichotomous.

Circinate Vernation is Virtually Unique

Leaves can be Simple (one blade/petiole) or
Compound (more than one blade/petiole)