— fernless , adj. — fernlike , adj.
/ferrn/ , n.
any seedless, nonflowering vascular plant of the class Filicinae, of tropical to temperate regions, characterized by true roots produced from a rhizome, triangular fronds that uncoil upward and have a branching vein system, and reproduction by spores contained in sporangia that appear as brown dots on the underside of the fronds.
[ bef. 900; ME ferne, OE fearn; c. G Farn fern, Skt parná feather ]