(i) Epidermis: The outer layer of the rhizome is called the epidermis. It is unilayered and composed of parenchyma cells.
(ii) Hypodermis: The inner layer of epidermis is called hypodermis or hypodermis. It is furnished on two levels. Made up of sclerenchyma cells.
(iii) Cortex: The inner layer of hypodermis is called cortex. It is multi-layered. It is composed of parenchyma cells. It does not contain intercellular spaces.
(iv) Vascular bundles: Cortex contains multiple vascular bundles. Its vascular bundles are hydrocentric i.e. xylem in the center and phloem around it.

Young leaves of ferns are called croziers. When the leaves are young, the coils are curled like a dog’s tail. This condition is called sarcinate vernation.

Fern leaves are called fronds. The leaves of Pteris are compound. Each segment of a compound leaf is called a leaf or pinna. Each leaf has one rachis. The leaves are arranged in pairs on either side of the rachis. Each leaflet is narrow, long, sessile, obtuse and the edges are smooth. Tidal pinnae are the longest. On the underside of the leaf there are tiny sporangia along the edges. The sporangia together form the sorus (spore leaf). Each sorus is covered by a false indusium. The leaves bearing the sorus are called sporophylls. Many psorai joined together to form Sinosaurus. Young leaves of ferns are called croziers. When the leaves are young, the coils are curled like a dog’s tail. This condition is called sarcinate vernation. Leaves are green and produce food through the process of photosynthesis.

The stem of Pteris is rhizome-like. Rhizomes are short, hard, firm, erect, unbranched and colorless. Its growth is indeterminate and perennial. It is located several centimeters deep in the soil. The stem is covered with numerous brown scales. These bills are called ramentum. Ramentums are green at first, later turning pink.

A narrow, thread-shaped, branched, colorless and multicellular root arises from the lower part of the stem. It is localized and clustered. Roots anchor the plant to the soil and absorb water and mineral salts.

1. Root: A narrow, thread-shaped, branched, colorless and multicellular root arises from the lower part of the stem. It is localized and clustered. Roots anchor the plant to the soil and absorb water and mineral salts.
2. Steam: The stem of Pteris is rhizome-like. Rhizomes are short, hard, firm, erect, unbranched and colorless. Its growth is indeterminate and perennial. It is located several centimeters deep in the soil. The stem is covered with numerous brown scales. These bills are called ramentum. Ramentums are green at first, later turning pink.
3. Leaf: Fern leaves are called fronds. The leaves of Pteris are compound. Each segment of a compound leaf is called a leaf or pinna. Each leaf has one rachis. The leaves are arranged in pairs on either side of the rachis. Each leaflet is narrow, long, sessile, obtuse and the edges are smooth. Tidal pinnae are the longest. On the underside of the leaf there are tiny sporangia along the edges. The sporangia together form the sorus (spore leaf). Each sorus is covered by a false indusium. The leaves bearing the sorus are called sporophylls. Many psorai joined together to form Sinosaurus. Young leaves of ferns are called croziers. When the leaves are young, the coils are curled like a dog’s tail. This condition is called sarcinate vernation. Leaves are green and produce food through the process of photosynthesis.

1. Plants are divided into roots, stems and leaves.
2. Plant stems are transformed into rhizomes and covered with ramenta.
3. From the rhizomes slender, linear, apical and branched roots emerge. It is covered by ramenta.
4. Leaves are compound, young leaves have circinate vernation.
5. The leaves are attached to the rachis. Leaves have midveins and veins.
6. At the edge of the leaf, the sporangia are united to form a sorus. It is covered by phallus indusium.

1. Terris is green, self-sufficient and self-sufficient.
2. Their body is divided into roots, stems and leaves.
3. Leaves are compound and pinnate when young.
4. Pinna or leaves have rachis, midrib and veins.
5. Its stems are transformed into rhizomes.
6. Rhizome is covered by ramenta.
7. They are homosporous i.e. produce identical spores.
8. Sporangia are present along the leaf margins. The sporangia together form the sorus.
9. The sporangium is covered by a false indusium.
10. Their male genitalia are called antheridium and female genitalia are called archegonium.
11. Their antheridium is round and archegonium is flask shaped.
12. The prothallus (gametophyte) is green, heteroscedastic, cordate and coriaceous.
13. Leaves have rachis. Sheets are arranged in racks.

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Filicinophyta
Class : Filicineae
Order: Filicales
Family : Polypodiaeae
Genus: Pteris
Species : Pteris longifolia

Pteris grows in shady places, wet soil, plains, hilly areas, old walls, tree bark etc. They are sub-aerial as they grow on walls and brick piles. They grow in abundance in tropical and sub-tropical regions. They grow in the sun and are known as Sun-fern. There are 250 species of Pteris.