Spores and Rhizomes

• The fern reproduces by either spores or rhizomes. The plant sprouts from the rhizomes following fire or other surface disturbance. Otherwise they reproduce by spores, which cling to the underside of the fern leaves in structures called sori. Spores release when they're ripe and are borne on wind or water to an appropriate location where they can sprout. Additionally, the lady fern can produce offsets along the sides of the main body of the plant which can be divided away and planted separately.
  
  

Habitat

• Lady fern is an extremely versatile plant. Unlike most ferns, it can grow in dry soils. This adaptation makes it able to survive periods of drought in its native environment. The plant is also able to grow in a nearly soil-free area such as a crack in a rock. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous, which allows it to spread and collect every drop of water around it and store energy in the rhizomes. This root system is an adaptation that allows the plant to thrive in arid conditions and limited soil environments. As an understory plant, lady fern prefers moist soils and is most suitably adapted for moist forest areas.
  
  

Leaves

• The lady fern is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zone 2. It can withstand temperatures below freezing for extended periods because it loses its leaves. This deciduous practice protects the roots and crown with the dropped leaves as a mulch but mostly by removing the conductive tissues of the leaves. This prevents the chill from invading the core of the plant. The airy construction of the leaves, which are held upright and made up of numerous leaflets, allows the foliage to cover a wide air space to collect ambient moisture and any sunlight.
  
  

Stems

• The leaves are carried on petioles or stems. The stems are scaly at the base to prevent certain insect invaders. The scales also add stability to the base of the leaf stalk and strengthen it. The stems are also coated with a waxy cuticle that helps the plant conserve moisture. Fine hairs on the stem help direct dew to the center of the plant.