Want to turn your shady corners into a leafy paradise? Discover the best native fern for ground cover, proving that low-light ...

Scientists have discovered a zombie tree that converts its leaves into roots as it dies. The Cyathea rojasiana tree fern, which is native to Panama in Central America, was studied by plant ...

Plant biologists report that a species of tree fern found only in Panama reanimates its own dead leaf fronds, converting them into root structures that feed the mother plant. The fern, Cyathea ...

But this tree fern’s “zombie leaves,” or leaf roots, represent the first known example of a repurposing of dying tissue, said Eddie Watkins, a professor and fern expert at Colgate University ...

Cyathea rojasiana tree ferns seem to thrive in Panama’s Quebrada Chorro forest by turning dead leaves into roots that seek out nutrient-rich soil.

Hardy species like the native Christmas fern and Braum's Holly fern (Polystichum braunii) are great companion plants to put under trees because they prefer the dense shade of a tree canopy.

Ordinarily, once a fern's leaf fronds have died, the plant has no further use for them. Such is not the case with the Cyathea rojasiana fern, though – a scientist has discovered that its dead ...

Now the first full tree fern genome has been successfully sequenced—that of the flying spider-monkey tree fern—hinting at how these peculiar plants accrued such a massive set of genes.

The flying spider-monkey tree fern genome provides insights into fern evolution and arborescence. Nature Plants , 2022; 8 (5): 500 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01146-6 Cite This Page : ...

Be warned, however, that learning how to winterize tree ferns will be different. These tropical trees will need outdoor protection if you live in a zone with prolonged periods of cold weather.

I recently invested in a beautiful tree fern for our shady back garden. A gardening friend told me that I’ll need to give it some protection from winter cold to prevent it being damaged.

Ferns have been around for over 360 million years. Giant tree fern forests were common for millions of years but they gave way as flowering plants evolved to take their place.