Field Notes Journal
Field Notes Journal a personal natural history of place

II.3 Observation of Fern Spores

Aim

To examine the structure of fern sporangia and spores.

Specimen & Apparatus

  • Fertile fern frond (e.g. bracken or garden fern)
  • Needle or forceps
  • Slide and coverslip
  • Water
  • Compound microscope

Method

  1. Locate sori (clusters of sporangia) on the underside of the frond.
  2. Remove a small portion using a needle or forceps.
  3. Place on a slide and add a drop of water.
  4. Gently tease the material to release spores if necessary.
  5. Apply a coverslip and examine under low and then higher magnification.

Observations to Make

  • Arrangement of sporangia within the sorus.
  • Shape and appearance of individual spores.
  • Relative size of spores compared to surrounding structures.
  • Any visible surface detail on spores.