Operation Wildflower
  • Home
  • Albums
  • Links
    • Botanical Gardens
    • OWF Sites
    • Public Parks, Gardens and Reserves
    • Reference Sites
    • Private Parks, Gardens and Reserves
  • Information
    • About Us
    • Articles
    • Contact Us
    • Disclaimer
    • Glossary
    • Plant Records
      • Aloes
      • Bulbs
      • Climbers
      • Cycads
      • Euphorbias
      • Ferns
      • Grasses
      • Herbs
      • Orchids
      • Parasites
      • Shrubs
      • Succulents
      • Trees
    • Sources of Information
    • Subject Index
Home Home » TYPES » Ferns » Where ferns rule
Back to Category Overview
Total images in all categories: 12,068
Total number of hits on all images: 7,363,069

Where ferns rule

Where ferns rule
Start View full size
[Please activate JavaScript in order to see the slideshow]
Previous Previous
Image 41 of 42  
 
  • Polystichum incongruum
  • Pteridium aquilinum
  • Ptisana fraxinea
  • Ptisana fraxinea, a frond
  • Rumohra adiantiformis
  • Rumohra adiantiformis frond details
  • Rumohra adiantiformis in a comfortable spot
  • Rumohra adiantiformis where fairies dance
  • Schizaea pectinata or cockscomb fern
  • Schizaea pectinata sporangia are in these comb-like structures
  • Sphaeropteris cooperi, Australian tree ferns at home
  • Todea barbara
  • Todea barbara frond
  • Todea barbara petioles or stipes
  • Todea barbara plant centre
  • Todea barbara spiky pinnae-tips
  • Where ferns rule

Image information

Description

In a country like South Africa where drought often prevails, many of the ferns found on the inland mountains are xerophytes, adapted to life in conditions of low moisture availability. The spores having the time, may lie in wait for very long periods before moisture arrives for them to grow. Where the rainfall is high or steep kloofs harbour at least seasonal streams, the ferns grow bolder among the boulders.

In these sheltered kloofs among steep rocks the water may last long, suiting the ferns to the ground. The fronds have protection from all-day sun and excessive wind; their roots burrowing down into the crevices where moisture collects. The deeper the gorge, the more gorgeous the ferns, depending on the rainfall. The photo was taken in Bainskloof where the rainfall is high.

South Africa has about 260 fern species, some of which are endemic to limited areas, others are shared with much of Africa or even worldwide.

The Fern Society of Southern Africa disseminates information and contributes to research aimed at promoting interest in and survival of our fern species (www.fernsoc.co.sa).

Hits
543
Photographer
Judd Kirkel
Author
Ivan Latti
 
Back to Category Overview
Powered by JoomGallery