Classification

Bracken Ferns are classified in this way:

Domain: Eukarya

All members of domain Eukarya have true membrane bound nuclei and organelles. Stinging Nettles are Eukaryotes that hikers may run into in the woods.

Kingdom: Plantae

The Plantae kingdom consists of mulitcellular Eukaryotes that  photosynthesize. St. John's Wort is another plant and it is very interesting because it has medical purposes.

Phylum: Pteridophyta

This phylum consists of seedless vascular plants. These plants have roots and leaves, however, do not flower like most plants. Another example of a fern would be Northern Maidenhair fern.

Class: Filicopsida

Phylum Pteridophyta only has one class so the definition of the phylum applies to class.

Order: Polypodiales

This order is distinguished by their  leptosporangiate. This means each sporangium is formed from a single epidermal cell.

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

Dennstaedtiaceae have rhizomes that are wide and underground. In other ferns the rhizomes can come above ground, however, these ones do not.

Genus: Pteridium

Ferns in this genus are known for being course, stiff, and hard.

Species: Pteridium aquilinum

This is the specific name for Bracken fern. It may also be called Western Bracken fern, Brake fern, or Hog-Brake.

If you want to learn more about the features of ferns and what makes them similar and differant from other plants then click here. 

Below are two phylogenic trees. Green algae is not classified as a plant, however, it is included  because it was important in giving rise to land plants. This tree uses features to distinguishThe family tree of Plants drawn by: Rachael Schaefer between organisms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is tree showing where plants fall in the grand scheme. Like it states above plants are Eukaryotic, this diagram shows other organisms that are also in this Domain.          Archaea, Eukaryote, and Bacteria drawn by: Rachael Schaefer                             

                        

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