Representatives of this group of spore-bearing (non-flowering) herbaceous vascular plants may be found in association with most terrestrial and freshwater shoreline habitats. Most are conspicuous components of the vegetation; a few are small and obscure. Several species are restricted to specific habitats and are rare or only locally abundant. There are approximately 44 species of ferns and 23 fern allies (Quillworts, horsetails and club mosses - spore-bearing vascular plants which lack typical fern structure). True ferns play a significant role in many of the plant communities found in the province. A variety of ferns dominate the ground vegetation cover under hardwood throughout the province.

This Document Includes:

Fern Allies
Ferns

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Additional Keywords:
Wood Fern, Bracken Fern, Cinnamon Fern, Hayscented Fern, Christmas Fern, grape-ferns, Ostrich Fern, Arctic Alpine Community.

Associated Topics:

T10.2 Successional Trends in Vegetation
T10.4 Plant Communities in Nova Scotia
T10.6 Trees
T10.12 Rare and Endangered Plants

Associated Habitats:

H4.2 Fen
H4.3 Swamp
H5 Terrestrial Unforested
H6 Forests