In Latvia, a commonly found fern species is the common fern or eagle fern.

Ferns belong to the oldest known land plants - psilophytes, the first land plants. Ferns achieved great diversity during the Carboniferous period, appearing for the first time in a tree-like form. At the end of the Paleozoic era, most ferns disappeared. Ferns have true roots and a vascular system. Ferns reproduce through spores. On the upper side of fern leaves, brownish-yellow clusters of sporangia, called sori, appear in summer. Spores are formed through their division. When a spore lands on moist soil, it begins to germinate. As it grows, a heart-shaped prothallus forms on the soil, on which male and female reproductive organs develop.

The common eagle fern is found on all continents except Antarctica. It has long rhizomes that spread rapidly in meadows and forests. The common eagle fern is a resilient weed in fields and gardens.

In mythology, magical properties were attributed to the fern flower, although, in reality, ferns do not bloom.

Photo: www.redzet.eu

Information sources: www.latvijasdaba.lv, Wikipedia, Lielā ilustrētā enciklopēdija