false indusium
plant anatomy
Quick Summary
A false indusium is a botanical term referring to the rolled-over leaf margin of some fern species, such as bracken and maidenhair ferns. This modified leaf edge serves to protect the developing sporangia, which are structures that produce spores. Unlike a true indusium, which is a distinct formation covering the sporangia, the false indusium is an integral part of the fern's leaf structure. This adaptation helps shield the reproductive parts from environmental hazards like drying out.123
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
