Cryptogams: Spores & more

For over 350 million years, long before the first flower ever bloomed, ferns have flourished across the globe. Today, these ancient survivors—belonging to the division Pteridophyta—captivate us with their intricate fronds and mysterious, seedless reproduction.

The Secret Life of Ferns

Unlike modern garden plants, ferns do not use seeds. Instead, they rely on a complex, two-stage life cycle called the alternation of generations.

1. The Sporophyte (The Visible Fern): The leafy fronds we see are the "sporophyte" phase. These fronds produce microscopic spores within specialised structures called sporangia.

2. The Gametophyte (The Hidden Heart): When a spore lands in a damp spot, it grows into a tiny, heart-shaped plantlet. This is where fertilisation happens, eventually growing back into the large fern we recognise.

Spotlight on Spleenworts: The Miniature Marvels

Within the fern family Aspleniaceae lies a distinctive subgroup: the spleenworts.

• Historic Healing: Their name comes from a centuries-old belief that their fronds—which resemble the human spleen—could cure ailments of that organ.

• Masters of the Cliffside: While many ferns love damp forest floors, many spleenworts are epiphytic or lithophytic, meaning they thrive in the narrow crevices of rocky cliffs, stone walls, and even tree trunks.

• Diverse Beauty: There are over 700 species worldwide, ranging from delicate, leathery textures to lustrous, intricate venation.

Local Pioneers: Cryptogams of the Sidmouth Area

If you take a walk through a mild, damp climate like Devon, you can find a remarkable variety of these hidden pioneers. Keep an eye out for these specific species:

Species Where to Look Distinguishing Feature

Wall Rue Old limestone walls & churchyards Tiny, non-flowering; loves lime mortar.

Hart’s Tongue Fern Woodlands & hedge banks Unique, undivided strap-like fronds.

Maidenhair Spleenwort Town walls and rocky crevices Delicate, dark-stemmed, and elegant.

Bracken Heathlands and woodland margins A strong invader that turns copper in autumn.

Why Protect Them?

Ferns are more than just beautiful greenery; they are vital to our planet's health. They prevent soil erosion, provide microhabitats for small organisms, and act as indicators of healthy ecosystems. Today, they face threats from habitat destruction and climate change, making the preservation of our local woodlands and stone walls more important than ever.