Leptosporangiate ferns are known as 'true ferns'. They have certain characteristics that make them different from eusporangiate ferns. Leptosporangiate Ferns Eusporangiate Ferns Initial sporangial development canbe traced to one initial cell on the sporophyte Initial spore development can be traced to a group of cells on the sporophyte Sporangia usually small and stalked Sporangia typically small but not stalked Sporangia are thin walled Sporangia are thick walled Small quantities of spores produced Large quantity of spores produced Sporangia occur in groups called sori Sporangia do not occur in groups . Ferns love shady, moist habitats. They are more abundant in temperate and tropical regions than anywhere else in the world.
Ferns are leaf dominant.
The leaves are known as megaphylls because of their size. The stem is a rhizome that travels horizontally below the surface of the ground. From the rhizome, adventitious roots grow. An entire fern leaf is called a frond. The rachis is 'stem-like'.