Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Equisetum arvense is an interesting fern. It is dimorphic, meaning that the vegetative fronds do not look like the fertile spikes. The fertile spike is topped by the reproductive cone which contains umbrella shaped (peltate) sporophylls. The sporophylls contains sporangia within which spores are developed.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Equisetum arvense, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Oct. 17, 2007
Equisetum arvense, with vegetative fronds & fertile spike (dimorphic), photo Russ Kleinman, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Oct. 18, 2007
Equisetum arvense, cone and peltate sporophylls at end of fertile spike, photo Russ Kleinman, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Oct. 18, 2007
Equisetum arvense, peltate sporophylls turned over with empty sporangia, photo Russ Kleinman, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Oct. 18, 2007
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