Ferns and lycophytes
Killarney fern sporophyte stage. The gametophytic (sexual) and sporophytic (asexual) generations of the fern are found independently and so the now rare fern is in an arrested state of development.
What are they?
Ferns and lycophytes are seed-free vascular plants. They were traditionally assigned to pteridophytes or ‘ferns and fern allies’, and are curated in a single collection.
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Ferns
Learn more about the diversity and lineage of ferns.
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Lycophytes
Find out more about lycophyte lineages.
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Fern and lycophyte life cycle
The reproductive process shared by ferns and lycophytes.
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Fern research
Discover the rich history of fern research at the Museum, as well as a wide scope of ongoing projects concerning fern diversity.
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Fern collections
Our fern collections include major historical and modern collections, as well as the herbarium of the founder of modern fern taxonomy. Find out about the collections, their curation and how to access them.