ferns Definition

any of a division (Filicophyta) or class (Filicopsida) of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants having alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations; especially : any of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing roots, stems, and leaflike fronds

a large epiphytic spleenwort (Asplenium nidus) of tropical Asia and Polynesia that has large lance-shaped leaves and is often grown as a houseplant

a luxuriant fern (Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis) often with drooping much-divided fronds

a North American evergreen fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

a large fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) with cinnamon-colored spore-bearing fronds shorter than and separate from the green foliage fronds

a common fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) of eastern North America with fragrant finely divided pale green fronds

any of a genus (Adiantum) of ferns with delicate palmately branched fronds

a fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) producing an oleoresin used in expelling tapeworms

any of a genus (Matteuccia) of temperate-zone ferns; especially : a tall fern (M. struthiopteris) with graceful arched fronds which are the source of edible fiddleheads

any of an order (Pteridospermales) of extinct cycadophytes with foliage like that of ferns and with naked seeds