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Call for questions: FERNS (Patreon)

Published:
2025-10-30 22:06:45
Imported:
2026-06

Content

A plant that's seedless and flowerless? Here you go: FERNS. Do they have wood? Are they toxic? Can they cross pollinate? Are they prehistoric? I don't know! So I'll be asking an author, professor and prominent plant evolutionary biologist who discovered a new fern genus and named it after Lady Gaga. What questions about ferns do you want answered?

Deadline: Sunday, November 2 at 5pm PST

Files

Comments

Sohja Howen

FTQA-What’s the difference between spores and pollen?

HannahBoNannas

Depictions of dinosaurs (of all kinds) often show them surrounded by ferns. Which ones would be accurate/would have actually been surrounded by ferns?

Adam Weaver

Can we talk about edible fiddleheads? What species are edible? Any advice for foraging or cooking? Any deadly lookalikes I need to watch for?

Cyntia B

Are there surprising ferns symbioses we need to know about?

Zyz

IM SO EXCITED OMG As a kiwi, why do new zealand forests have so much silverfern, when I've never really heard of tree ferns anywhere else?? Are they still found in other places and just less famous? Is new zealand special?

Kristianna Marczeski

Please tell me how to keep them alive. My Boston Fern mocks me daily.

Lauren Harter

There's so much morphological diversity in ferns, how much of it is ecological adaptation versus conserved ancestral traits? That is to say, do ferns look more like their relatives or their neighbors??

HannahBoNannas

I live in the desert. I’ve tried to keep an indoor fern by misting it with water daily, but it died. Any hope? Any tips?

Jess Bowker

what causes some of them to close up when touched?? It always makes me think of a Venus flytrap. are the mechanisms they use related at all, is it convergent evolution, what's the deal?

Cathrin Watkins

How have ferns managed to survive major extinction events when so many other plant groups didn’t? Are any species keystone species?

John Bochanski

So just what are the bumps on the back of the leaves? Eggs? Clones? ALIENS? Can they live in all sorts of conditions? I seem to kill the ones I plant, then get volunteers. I’m in PA.

J_B

FTQA: How do ferns love England *and* the Santa Cruz mountains but I cannot for my life keep them alive in my house? But actually they are so versatile 12/10 impressed. Also, are they upset when I high five them in the forest?

Dani C

What’s the hottest fern? And by that I mean, can you tell us about some ferns adapted for more arid habitats? (But also also what is the prettiest fern, in your opinion)

CocoHaras

How can I keep ferns alive as houseplants in a dry and cold Montana climate? Maidenhair ferns are the cutest cuties I’ve ever seen and I’ve murdered so many 😢

CuriousNerd 🤓

I don't have a fern question but highly recommend Oliver Sacks' Oaxaca Journal for some well written and adorable science nerd meets fern facts fodder

Zyz

What plants are ferns most closely related to? They seem so weird and unique

Jason E. Farabaugh

🌿🚀Asparagus ferns went to Earth orbit on the space shuttle. Why? What was it about asparagus ferns that singled them out? Are they particularly good at scrubbing CO2 from the air & releasing O2 for us to breathe? Thanks.

Elizabeth Litwin

I’d love to hear about the ecological niche of ferns and relationships to wildlife, fungi and other plants!

ariel.vanzandt

What is going on the backside of those fronds?

Helen A

How do the oldest known species of ferns compare to the newest ones, aesthetically and/or biologically? Why have ferns been able to outlive so many other species? Which dinosaurs liked ferns Which dinosaurs would ferns like? Why and how did ferns evolve to have sori, and why don’t other plant species have them? Or is that a defining characteristic of ferns? Thank you!!

Stacy Litwin

Given what you know about ferns and their properties, which building material would fairies be using them as? Flooring, wallpaper, roofs, basket weaving, etc?

ariel.vanzandt

Are there different categories of ferns?

Aoife Cochrane

Why can be so hard to identify? What about their morphology works so well for survival?

Adam Foote

What's the difference between fern spores and fungus spores? Related: what plants are ferns most closely related to? They seem almost, but not quite, entirely unlike everything else in my yard

Ida Juva

I've always wondered why, oh why do these beautiful plants only last for one day in a vase before shriveling dry? :(

Baylop

FTQA… What kind of ferns does zach galifianakis sit between!?!

Colby Evans

Between two ferns was sooo great!

Kathleen Regovich

What were the ancestors of ferns like? Have ferns basically stayed the same throughout their evolutionary history or are there some wacky fossil ferns?

RJ Doidge

Are they drawn to rotting or decaying material? Thinking of a certain red fern and where it grows…

MeganTheLibrarian765

What’s the oldest species of fern that we know of? Is it found today?

Talia Dunyak

How old is the oldest fern? Old old or like not old at all

Alexis Culley

How do ferns survive the cold? I feel like there will be snow on the ground and you will still see a fern somehow!? What mechanisms do they use to stay alive in cold weather and how many ferns are able to do this?

Adam Foote

Since I'm always looking for new anxieties, are there any toxic / poisonous ferns?

Lindsay Mixer

I grew up on the Puget Sound and was taught to rub certain ferns against irritated skin to soothe it, like if I had a run in with stinging nettle or something. How does that work and why? Is there an evolutionary purpose to that for the fern, or is it incidental of some other part of fern biology?

Max G

When’s the best time to transplant ferns, spring or fall?

Alexis Culley

What about ancient ferns? I know nothing about them, but when you see some good realistic dinosaur art, there are always some impressive ferns in the background. How long have ferns been around and what can you tell us about their evolution through time? Do we have fern fossils?

Sweet_Anni_D

Why does the fern, Rock-top Polypody, only grow on rocks? Are there other species that only grow on rocks? Does it matter what kind of rock?

Alexis Culley

Do ferns have any crazy adaptations?

ariel.vanzandt

Frond, blade, segment, pinna... what's the difference? Can we get a fern anatomy 101 please?

Cat Baklarz

and also what is going on with rabbits foot ferns? why do they look like that?

Matt Ceccato

How do ferns contribute to the food chain?

Colby Evans

Fern bar is an American slang term for an upscale or preppy (or yuppie) bar or tavern catering to singles, usually decorated with ferns or other greenery, as well as such decor as fake Tiffany lamps. The phrase came into common regional usage in the late 1970s.

Colby Evans

I think fern bars deserve a comeback

Brynn Olive

I live in the PNW, why and HOW do so many ferns grow on trees? Sincerely, a Montana transplant where ferns stay on the ground.

Mimz

What makes it a fern versus dome other plant? Why they throwing so much shade? How do they know to curl up at night and open in the day? Are there any nocturnal ferns?!?! Are there any plants we call 'other' plant but they're really a fern and vice versa?

Alexis Culley

Do most ferns prefer *wet* or *moist* conditions?

manatee lover

what’s up with those ferns that close when touched? are they closing for anything that touches them? or just humans? or what?

Mimz

This is the most thoughtful, deeply hypothetical question, and I am loving it

Katy Owens

HOW on earth do I keep one alive. Specifically in Colorado.

Fiona Rogge

Please talk about New Zealand ferns!!!

Alexis Culley

Sorry- last one (I’m so excited for ferns if you can’t tell!) What can you tell us about resurrection ferns? How do they appear to “resurrect”?

Elyce

Unlike most indoor plants, ferns are one of the few that are non-toxic to cats. What makes their chemical makeup different from other house plants and is this linked to how they evolved or where they originated?

Vanessa Adams

Edible ferns: when/how/which/why?

Mads

FTQA - Do ferns have a symbiotic relationship with any other group/family/whatnot? What's your favourite fern? Mine is adiantum capillus-veneris - it grows all over the dry stone walls here in the UK. Why are tree ferns so tall? Are they true ferns? Why are ferns so cool?

Ella Sugerman

I love ferns! I know that some ferns like licorice ferns can have symbiotic relationships with fungi - how did those evolve and how do they benefit each species?

Amy Arugula

I have heard that ferns can be incredibly long-lived plants! What are some super long-lived ferns? Not talking about lineage; I'm asking how old individuals can be.

mish the fish

how can i grow air ferns in my house? how can i prevent my native ferns from spreading through the rest of the garden? (both from my father)

Amy Arugula

Any helpful mnemonics for gutting the alternation of generations straight? I keep confusing my gametophytes and sporophytes!

Jadine Lannon

Why are fern fiddleheads so delicious?!

moeritherium

Not ashamed to say I squealed a bit when I got the email about this episode… I LOVE ferns, could you please ask your pteridologist why most of the British mountainsides are absolutely covered in bracken ? And whether they know that there anything about the history of thatching with it (bracken)? And whether they can comment on why and how we found out that people in Japan started getting throat cancers from eating their young fronds ?!

Shannon

I love ferns!! First time question asker - how is the new fern named after Lady Gaga fabulous?

Björn Fredberg

Why do ferns have such ridiculous amount of genes? What's the evolutionary benefit?

Lunarcrumpet

I love ferns so much and MOSS . I know some moss are a type of fern but what's the smallest and the biggest types of ferns? I live in Australia and we have big fern trees and I'd love to know what types are the biggest

Jenna Congdon

What makes a fern a fern? And, which species is the biggest? The smallest? Are there giant or teeny tiny ferns out there?

redheadedscientist

Would love love love to learn more about the paleobotany (shame that's not an ology!) of ferns! When we think of dinosaurs in the environment, we usually picture them among ferns. What is it about their form that enabled them to persist for so long and in so many different eras and climates? Why were they some of the first plants to evolve? Is there an evolutionary advantage to having both a gametophyte and spermatophyte form?

Lu Moore

FTQA - what is the best fern species to keeping as indoor plants? They are one of my absolute favorite plants and I love them so much but I can’t seem to keep them alive. Am I simply meant to admire them outside of my home forever?

Jade Greene

What’s up with the little nipples under their leaves?

HangryAuntie

THIS! Fungi have a chokehold on zombie movies, but are we sleeping on the possibilities of a predator fern apocalypse??

jangonator

Are ferns edible and/or tasty?

Vanessa Adams

They’re so prehistoric, what evolutionary traits have they developed to cope in this more modern world?

SustainableSirenian

What was the largest fern in history and what is the largest fern today? What was the ecological benefits and costs of decreasing in size?

Katie Munoz

Ferns! I love ferns. And there is something weird about how they reproduce. They two stages and I hope you'll explain more about that.

Charlotte Short

I’m from eastern Canada we love to eat fiddleheads! Is that a thing anywhere else with other types of ferns?

Mr. Pulley

What made friends so resilient to all of Earth's cataclysms? Related, how are ferns doing today?

Mykenzie King

I’ve made the joke that if reincarnation is real, I want to be reincarnated as a fern. Would that be a good life??

Megan McIlmail

First time asker! Fiddleheads have become a trendy foragable food item, but there’s a lot of conflicting info on how to cook them to release the thiaminase. Can you elaborate on some ways to stay safe and sustainable while enjoying a tasty ferny treat?

Lisa Gorman

Has there ever been an invasive fern? If so, what was it?

Lisa Gorman

How long will an average individual fern live?

Nicky G

I am also SO curious about fern spores... they must have evolved separately from fungi

Lisa Gorman

What is the deal with tree ferns? Where do they live other than fancy British people's gardens? Do they start out just looking like regular ferns?

Britt Kline

Is there a fern I can hang from an indoor ceiling that does not shed like the dickens?

Sydonie S.

Any recommendations for cooking ferns?

Deli Dames

Why was Freud afraid of ferns??

Clemens V

This! And how are those generations preserved in ‘higher plants’?

Raja

Ferns are the best! I'd love to hear about substrates for growth. It's so cool to see them growing out of teeny tiny crevices in rock in Muskoka (Ontario)! Are they all capable of that or does their variability include different needs for growing medium?

Leaf and Paw

I'm writing a book on houseplants (!) and would love to know if you could elaborate on toxicity? They seem to be mild but I would love an expert option.

Kyle

What are they doing with all those chromosomes?

Anastasia Press

What's the best way to eat fiddlehead ferns?

Jmo

seconding this!! ferns make me really happy but I'm not sure I understand how best to make them happy. Are there some common errors folks make when keeping them indoors?

Amy Johnson

How to not kill them when inside, please

Jmo

I believe ferns have a relationship with trees in forests, even to the extent of trading nutrients and signals through mycelium.. I would love the ologist to discuss this more or if I'm mis-remembering things

Brenna Hull

How do ferns reproduce? Have you found fern seeds and did they give you the power of invisibility?

Brenna Hull

Why do ferns have that incredible fern smell?

The Other Maya

Climate change winners and losers: where are ferns winning?

Ron

How did ferns evolve and what is their relationship to flowering plants?

The Other Maya

I'm a Rain Coast (Pacific North Wet) girl - is my gut feel that ferns hide in the summer and pop up in the fall and spring based in some kind of truth, or are they obscured by other plants in the summer and not actually taking a 3 month nap?

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

What IS a fiddlehead fern and is it really edible? I’m looking at you Stardew Valley! Is that the only type of fern that’s edible or are there others out there?

Julia Hutton

When I was studying forest management, often times I heard ferns referred to as the "Big Green Lie" because they can make an unhealthy forest look bright green and lush. This was in Western Pennsylvania, in the 2000's/2010's when a booming deer population over-browsed anything and everything (except for ferns). Is this still an issue in forests, and do the ferns also contribute to the lack of saplings because they block the sun & take nutrients? Or is this all a bunch of flim-flam? Thank you!

carodactyll

In the world of woo-woo, ferns are associated with invisibility. I come across this constantly in historical/cultural contexts and have always wondered where/why this might have originated. Will ferns make me invisible? Asking for science.

Andrew McVay

Yes, ferns! Living in Oregon I’m used to seeing forests with ferns but not forests of ferns like I saw in New Zealand. Please ask about the diversity of ferns scaling up to tree ferns.

Bopie

1) Are ferns related to mushrooms. 2) The Fiddlehead Ferns I've seen in Alaska look very similar to some huge ferns I've seen in a Hawaiian cloud forest. Relatives?

Matt Mesnick

First time question asker.... Well this question is really from my wife, Katie, so technically I have not asked my first question.... Anywho, why do crushed up ferns smell so delicious???

Ashley Dewing

I would love to have a bunch of native ferns in my wet/shady backyard. Can I grab a frond from a trail and shake out some spores? Do I need to dig them out and steal from a park? Please advise!

Andrew McVay

Time to try licorice fern next! 😉

Lauren Allegra

What are those little dots underneath the leaves??

Claire Richie

Fern math!? Fibonacci sequence? Barnsley fern? How are these plants so mathematical!!!

Erin Gunderson

I saw some bogglingly magnificent giant ferns in the Daintree rainforest in Queensland Australia, do they really date back to the Mesozoic period?

Amy Arugula

Fiddlehead is a leaf stage, before it unfurls. I eat fiddleheads from a species called ostrich fern. Idk if there is also a species called fiddlehead.

Amy Arugula

Omg love that you call them nipples.

Potato Puffer

What are Tree Ferns and is it sustainable that Tree Fern Fiber is used in the houseplant hobby as a potting mix component?

Lily

Why are maiden hair ferns so different from other ferns?

Lily

How did ferns help change our planet when they first came onto the scene and how did they pave the way for future evolution of plants?

Potato Puffer

There is an invasive fern in Florida and I would love to know more about it! Good question

Potato Puffer

Agree, I wanna know about those fuzzy feet

Potato Puffer

What’s the oldest fern fossil?

Potato Puffer

Are Staghorn ferns actually ferns? If so, why do different?

winn

tell me about the spores

winn

why do they do so well in shade?

winn

what role do ferns play in forest ecosystems?

Marina

Why is Zach Galafanakis inspecting that fern in the photo?

Kelsey Romero

I live in NB, Canada. Fiddleheads are a delicacy here. Although you can get super sick if ingested when undercooked. What is in them that causes this?

Empress of Smallwood

I know people eat fiddle head ferns. Are all ferns edible? We're they ever used as medicine? Please talk all about the history of human relationships with ferns!

Laurel

No question, just appreciation. Oh wait, no I do have a question: How do I become ferns after I die?? Especially if they're surrounded by moss and very big trees (California)

Empress of Smallwood

Do any areas in the world not have ferns? They seem pretty sturdy... have any ferns gone extinct?

Keerat Singh

Since ferns are sooooo old how do they differ from more “modern” plants?

Maddie A

how did the diversity in fern reproduction evolve? why do sporophytes look different in different species?

Cynthia Z

I want to know more about the ways ferns reproduce! Spores are well-known, but recently I saw a mother fern / Asplenium bulbiferum that makes little plantlets ON THE LEAVES and it seems like such a crazy difference from spores. I also grow several species of staghorn ferns (Platycerium), some of which make pups through the roots while others don’t. Why do mother ferns and staghorn ferns have alternatives to spores? Are there other unusual ways that ferns spread?

Kleargle

Whats the go with sporophytes?????

Michelle

He had a YouTube show years ago called Between Two Ferns

Annalise De Young

There may be native plant growers working in your area that could help figure out which native ferns will do best in your conditions and supply you with them 🌱🪴

Giules

First time question asker! Why do humans love ferns? I see them everywhere. Is it their diversity? Calming color? Shapes? The fact that they always look so uniform until you look at their branches closely? Ferns as a species have always held a special place in my heart.

Cynthia Z

PLEASE TELL ME MORE ABOUT ANT FERNS!!! I fell in love instantly with Lecanopteris genus and currently grow a few species. How did they co-evolve with ants? Can I substitute the role of ants with fertilizer or is there something more I’m missing? Can they host bugs other than ants? Are there more cool mutualistic (or other symbiotic) relationships between ferns and other organisms?

Kleargle

In australia we have tree ferns (big tall ferns)--how so tall if not "woody"?

Candddd

Can you talk about ferns and climate change? I live in the Great Lakes (USDA zone 6b) and earlier, warmer springs are killer on my native ferns. How can a homeowner help ferns?

Ettegoom

Living in Aotearoa, we have some great tree ferns, what is going on that lets them get the thick woody stems and grow so tall (compared to say, the maidenhair fern that I have trying not to die in my bathroom, which just gets wider, rather than taller). Interestingly, one of the tree ferns in our garden fell over in a storm, and the top, which is now lying on the ground, has started growing again, but perpendicular to the trunk, it's kinda cool, and also a bit weird - would I be able to chop the trunk into pieces and grow multiple new fern plants?

Marc Rubin

I associate ferns with wet climates like the PacNW. Are there any ferns that grow in dry climates? Are there any desert ferns? Alie- does Gremlin like to frollic amongst ferns? Speaking of older dogs, please do an episode on veterinary gerontology with my lovely wife, Dr Ashley Portmann of Home Together Vet! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QoLFllgiC/?igsh=MWg2cmg1dnpnZG9ibw==

Kailey Bell

Why do they grow in fractal patterns? Is there a biological reason or did they just decide to be gorgeous for fun?

Guido

How does a fern differ from a tree leaf or from a grass at the microscopic level?

Emergency Queso

I’ve seen fossilized fern imprints. Are ferns very ancient?

GoodSoup

I’m very interested in fern sex. How do they make more little fernies?

Keely Chavez

🎵Let’s talk about fronds, baby.. 🎶

Keely Chavez

Why are the rabbit’s foot the most fuzzy, (and adorable)?

Meg Michelle

How old are ferns?? How do fossilized fern species vary from today’s ferns?

Meg Michelle

Fern spores, how do they make em? Do all ferns have spores?

Meg Michelle

What’s the vascular system like for a fern? How does it work? How much water do they need?

Amelia DeHoff

Are giant ferns a newer development than the rest of our fern species or are they an OG?

Renee Wanger

I saw a video of someone with a truly massive house-plant fern "10 years old from a grocery store" is this possible? And if so how do I not kill the one I have?

Barbara Blackie

My friends have a pond that has recently been taken over by azolla. They say it doubles in volume very quickly! Aquatic ferns- do they have a free swimming gametophyte? Where are the spore producing structures on something like azolla?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

I would love to hear more about ferns from New Zealand! Their sporting teams are known as the Silver Ferns (and there’s also one on their sporting flag)

gilliansmith

What is the step by step process to go about identifying different species. I have the hardest time differentiating between all of the Northeastern ferns. Any tips to harvesting fiddleheads?

Emily

How are ferns propagated for cultivation? Thinking of the ones for sale at garden centers.

Emily

Are all fern’s fiddleheads edible? If not, how can you tell which ones to avoid?

Brianna Gunnarson

There’s a type of fern in Hawaii (not sure what kind) and a friend showed me that you can lay it on your pant leg or some other surface and smack it and it would leave an imprint of spores?!?! Maybe spores?! What’s up with that?!

Clayton Rudiger

I took part in a pond restoration for a body of water completely choked by invasive azolla - it was so thick that there were chest-high fir trees growing from the floating mass in the middle of the pond!

fullmetalknee

How did they get so gorgeous? (insert sassy hair flip) We visited one of the US West Coast redwoods forests where Star Wars was filmed and the ferns just look like that! They are incredible

coco

Can you just grab a fern from the forest and grow it indoors? Also I really want a fern tattoo. Does the ologist have one?

fullmetalknee

I love Adiantum pedatum's little pink fiddleheads so much. I love my fern tattoo

Paulina Tarr

How many dinosaurs ate ferns?

Paulina Tarr

Why are ferns less common as house plants? How did their fractal form come to be?

Jenna U

Is their reproduction the queerest of all plants?

Addie Cappello she her

I love ferns!!!! Ok so why of all plants do they seem to symbolize rebirth/starting over/new beginnings? The unfurling of the fronds is meaningful in many ways. Are there stories or histories surrounding this notion? Do the spores smell? I work in the PNW and I swear during certain times of the year I smell teriyaki sauce when I’m walking through a giant patch of ferns. Fern reproduction is wild- but is there any one that stands out as being even more outrageous than the rest? Are there any individual ferns around today that have existed for time immemorial? I was recently made aware of a video on social media of this fern that some guy bought at a grocery store 10 years ago and it’s now gargantuan but still existing in a pot… how does this happen? Any knowledge or fun facts about ferns and dinosaurs? I learned in college that brackenferns are excellent insect deterrents when you’re outside getting pestered by the flying, biting type. You wear them upside down on your head so the insects fly to the highest point of your person (which is the tip of the bottom part of the stem) and then the leaves act as swatters or brushes around your head and face so the insects can’t get close enough to bite you. I have pulled this trick during professional work situations in the field as well as on recreational hikes. There are photos to prove it. People I was with thought I was nuts until they tried it and it worked for them also. All this to ask: have you ever done the brackenfern trick while you’re working out in the field? Are there any other ferns that might work well for this cause? I spent time in New Zealand and there’s lots of ferns integrated into the culture there. Do you have any information to share about this? Thanks so much!!! Looking forward to this episode as always.

Sasha (they/them)

First time question asker: I'm curious about the toxicity as well as pharmaceutical use of different types of ferns. How common are fern used in a medical/pharmaceutical context? How does that maybe differ regionally? How did this change over time? What are the benefits vs risks of using fern as medicine?

Amanda

Cultural significance and stories about ferns around the world? When I was little I feel like I learned bracken fern can treat stinging nettles. Did my Campfire troop leader make that up? Other healing properties in different ferns?

Holden A. Goose

have you ever eaten them? i think a lot of different cultures eat them, including mine(korean). how many different types of fern dishes have you tried?

Felipe Jimenez

The patterns of the little dots behind the leaves (sori I think?) are so beautiful and varied among species. do they have evolutionary significance or taxonomic value? Can we tell anything about a fern’s environment from how its sori are arranged?

Bobbins

FTQA - Can we talk about how the very tiny New Caledonian fork fern (Tmesipteris oblanceolata) has the longest genome and holds 3 Guinness World Records??

Bryodiversity

Can you talk about how ferns acquired a gene from hornworts via horizontal gene transfer that improved their ability to sense light filtered through forest canopies? What did fern diversity and ecology look like before vs. after this adaptation? Do all extant ferns have this gene, or are there any lineages that didn’t inherit it that survived to the present day?

Hannah Fraser

I'm a horticulturist and I'd like to know why ferns require absolutely sterile conditions for propagation, yet in the wild they appear as weeds in the strangest places, popping out of broken gutters, in between paving etc. They clearly aren't in sterile conditions!

CassTheDogNerd

Why the heck can I not keep a fern alive to save my life? Every time it crisps up and withers away 😭

CassTheDogNerd

What is the Ologist's favorite type of fern? And why?

Ella Raptor

My dad is a pteridomaniac. Which fern should I gift him next to expand his lil collection?

Cheryl Doyle

I need recipes!! How do you cook them? Garlic? Olive oil? Butter? Please advise!!

Alexis Culley

I just saw a video that was talking about how ferns (native ferns!) can become to prominent in the understory of a forest creating a problem for other species? The video then went on to talk about how it’s actually a deer problem that causes. It made me wonder why deer or other animals don’t seem to like eating ferns as much? What about ferns do animals not like ?

JamieBee

Why are the ferns in Australia so BIG compared to the native ferns in Northeaster US?

Reese Perini

How long ago did ferns evolve? How big can ferns get? Where are they native plants?

Leah Anderson

Is clubmoss distantly related to ferns? Do fossils of the two ever come from the same periods or same locations? In other words, did they evolve together or sequentially?

Jan Bundesmann

We once had fern as a side dish in Taiwan. Are there other places where ferns are eaten?

Scalebar

Alternation of generations - why so slow? I planted Athyrium spores, they spent 18 months as tiny fuzzy specks without about 20 cells a piece ( I counted) before finally getting down to making fronds. It's not as if they were building up food stores. Anyway I learnt nothing and have just sown tree fern spores

ValBeListening

How many species of ferns are there? Are there invasive ferns? How is climate change impacting them?

Em Rothamel

Why do ferns embody fractal patterns but other plants dont? On behalf of my new husband (just got married two weeks ago and ferns are his favorite thing)

Juniper Berry

How do ferns like the Resurrection Fern go dormant for so long without dying?

Helen A

Omg I never heard of that, does it taste like licorice

Cathy

FTQA- Tree ferns are super cool, what caused them to get so much bigger than other fern? Was it the lack of competition from true trees?

Freddie & Eli

can you speak to the importance of ferns in indigenous cultures? for example the koru in māori culture

Freddie & Eli

what makes certain ferns react so quickly and how come not all of them can?

Abby Grieb

Where did ferns originate? Are they significantly older (evolutionarily) than other types of plants?

RoadLesTravelled

My beloved late aunt's name was Fern Joy and, despite her passing away nearly a quarter century ago, I think of her often and with much affection. And it turns out her namesake is nearly indestructible since several plants self-propagated on the north side of my Virginia home. Why is it that the ferns thrive in extraordinarily poor soil with no hope of watering except what Nature provides? Some of that water must be the hot but humid air of summer. Yes?

Andrew McVay

Yes! And a little bit of dirt and moss (even if you clean it a bit) 😉 Worth it though 👍

Ninja Squirrel

Fiddlehead ferns were all the rage to eat for a while, are all ferns edible when they're young and tender or just the fiddleheads?

Ninja Squirrel

Ferns are holdovers from prehistory, right? What's made them so adaptable to changes in their ecosystems that made it possible for them to persist for so long?

Mikki B

Are any types of ferns poisonous?

Katherine Fox

I get how to propagate other plants (from cuttings and from seeds) but HOW do I propagate ferns??

Bennett Vanderbosch

Any relation between the name fern for the plant and the name sometimes given to humans?

Andy Pepper

Super interested in desert ferns. How do they survive?!

Andy Pepper

How different or similar are fern spores to fungi spores? Are ferns more similar to fungi than other plants?

Andy Pepper

What is it about New Zealand that makes fern species so successful there? Seems like it’s the real hotbed of fern biodiversity.

Kieran H

What parts of ferns can you eat and not eat? Or can you eat the whole thing?? Are there any ferns that are toxic?

Kieran H

What makes ferns different from other plants!! What is their importance to the ecosystem?

Kieran H

What is the best fern and why is it the sword fern?

Han the Bee

A few years ago I bought some native ferns to add to my native garden expecting them to provide all year color- come to find out they aren't evergreen! Why are some ferns evergreen and others die back?

Han the Bee

I know that you can eat the soft curls of a fiddle head fern - but can we/ should we be eating more ferns?

Michael Breyette

What's the best fiddlehead recipe? Are they a big deal delicacy outside of New England?

Lexie

What is the best care for INDOOR ferns? How do I get them to not shed a bazillion fronds a day? Is it possible?

Lexie

How to propagate ferns?

Lexie

When was the first type of fern discovered? And how was it compared to other plants since it is so drastically different due to fronds vs leaves and no seeds???

Lexie

What is up with staghorn ferns and why can't I keep one alive!!

Catherine Wood

How have people historically, across cultures, used ferns?

Kendra

Have there been any recent updates on sword fern wasting disease in the pacific northwest?

Ross Banerjee

I’ve been listening to and recommending Ologies for 3 or 4 years, but I’ve never sent in a question. I have learned an enormous amount both from listening to Ologies and doing further reading. Thank you for continuing to be a force of Nature, Alie. You rock!! Horsetail fern looks a little like bamboo. Can it be used in any similar ways? Like paper, food, or textiles?

Nathan Curry

How are ferns predicted to hold up to climate change? Any areas predicted to go fern-less or fern-more?

Second Act Science Teacher

What is /are the oldest extant species of ferns? How close are they to their Devonian ancestors? I love your podcast. I’m a retired high school science teacher and I love learning new things! I’m currently a volunteer science communicator at our local natural history museum.

maya katherine

growing up in the PNW we always were told that if you touch a stinging nettle that you can use the pores of a fern to counter the reaction, is this true? if so, what other magical powers possess the pores of ferns?

Saxifrage Mura

Fiddlehead ferns. I love them. How do I find them??? And more generally: why don't all ferns make delicious fiddleheads? What are the general life stages of a fern, and what stages are more species-specific?

Mouse Paxton

What is the biggest type of fern? Fern species always have the coolest names. Do you have a personal favourite? What the heck is up with fern reproduction???

Rachael Mae

When was the first fern seen on the fossil record? How old are they? Were there giant ferns that grew when dinosaurs roamed the earth? For some reason, ferns seem so prehistoric to me - why is that??

Carissa Perry

Ohhh ferns! Yay! I would love to know about how widespread ferns are. Is it like moss and they can just live everywhere? I grew up in Midwest forests, and ferns have always been a favorite, but I definitely seem to happily find fern friends in all sorts of ecosystems. Thanks!

Sarah Morcom

My partner Tom wants to know how to keep them alive in summer in a hot climate (Queensland in Australia). We have planted native ferns multiple times and they thrive in winter but die in summer. It's very humid here so we thought they'd love it

Alisha Harris

I have several fern question! I’m so excited about this episode! I love a fern, I feel like I need them all in my house somewhere!!!! Ferns are among the oldest plant lineages, what can they tell us about the evolution of life on land? Are there fern species currently at risk of extinction? What are some of the biggest unanswered questions in fern research right now? Are there any surprising adaptations ferns have evolved?

Alyssa Diodato

FINALLY, FERNS! Lol sorry. 1. We understand that flowering plants have a strong connection to the animal world. But what is the ecology of ferns? Not they need a "job", but aside from being stunning how do they interact with their ecosystems? 2. Do you have any favorite field guides or fern books? 3. Do you cultivate ferns at home? How do you make them happy indoors?

GhoulNextDoor

I’ve tried to collect spores and grow them no absolutely no avail, is this a losing battle or a skill issue? How can I grow myself a fern forest?

GhoulNextDoor

What kinds of critters depend and live on/ within ferns? And generally how do they impact their natural environments?

Tessa Lew

I love mounting staghorn ferns on wood to hang inside, is there a way to propagate them or does it involve a complicated procedure?

Kait

I’ve seen so many fossilized version and real life ferns, but what do you think ferns will look like in the future?

Kait

Is there some evolutionary or sociocultural reason that people seem to love ferns, aesthetically speaking?

Eliot

Are there any ferns that live in the desert?

Eliot

What's the oldest extant variety of fern?

Matthew Patterson

What is the most interesting fact about ferns that you know, that most people (even those in your field) don't know?

Moth

Omg are we gonna talk about Fern sex?! I propagated some fern spores and it was so cool and weird

floraandthefaun

yessss why are they so pretty and cute?! very excited for this episode!

floraandthefaun

this! what's the role of fern in an environment?

starlingblue

Why are spores so friggen cute??

Tamera Tennant

Have you ever been to Fern Canyon in Humboldt County, California?

rowantree

Why are there so many different ferns!! How many species are there and where are they in the world? Any super cool ferns you love?

MurderBirder

Does the ologist like the movie Fern Gully?

Justin Bowen

What impact did the Columbian exchange have on species native to the Americas?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) What are medicinal uses for ferns? Traditional or modern? 2) When the ferns die back, what remains of them that they are able to grow back completely again? Are they storing nutrients below the soil? 3) Who likes eating ferns and what are their anti-munching defenses? 4) Is the fern rhizome different from other plants in any way? They seem to hang out with moss a lot in the pacific northwest, is this because moss is everywhere or do they have a symbiotic relationship? 5) Which ferns make the best houseplants (how many do you have) and how hard are they to take care of? 6) Are any ferns parasites of living plants? Or do they prefer a good, dead log? 7) Are ferns good eating for people? Or a big nope for people? 8) How much biodiversity is there in "ferns"? Are there cool specific regional ones or particularly prolific ferns that grow everywhere? Are any of them invasive species in other areas?

Kelly Shaver

What is their ecological role? What critters eat them or nest in them or use them in another way? How do they impact other flora around them?

Kelly Shaver

Do they all need high humidity or are there varieties that can grow other places?

Madison Woofter

Without so many of the structures integral to other plants, how have they outcompeted other species to continue to thrive today?

Megan et al.

Can you eat mature ferns or just the fiddleheads. And what are fiddleheads? Do all ferns have fiddleheads?

Megan et al.

I heard that ferns spread their spores by launching them like a catapult. How far can they travel? Like next plant over? Or feet plural? What do they look like under a microscope?

Megan et al.

Also also, I’ve been told that ferns are really good for rain gardens especially near roads as their roots can capture heavy metals and other pollutants filtering runoff.

Ranger France

Is it true they are the most prehistoric plants that still survive today?

Ranger France

how else are they different from other basic plants? All I remember from high school biology is the cell structure, chlorophyll, and the stem structure but apparently its different?

Ranger France

How big were they at their biggest? are we talking leaves the size of SUVs?

L7_Posse

What's the nastiest anti-predation trick you've seen a fern use? I've heard of them accumulating glass (phytoliths) in their leaves to repel pests.

Chance Lama

What revolutionary advantage is there to the spore thingies on the bottom of the leaves? Does that show up any other plants? Do all ferns have them?

A. Ortega

Can I ask why does mine always die?! What am I doing wrong?! I only ask half-jokingly. What are common mistakes people make when taking care of Ferns? In theory I’m doing everything listed in their care instructions, but they keep dying on me 🥺 (I’ll admit, they may be too far away from a window, but I didn’t think they would mind it that much since afaik, while not ideal, they are still suitable for shadowy places)

Ella

What are the biggest and smallest species of fern?

Plimpomatic

My mother has a fern frustration. Even though they are not supposed to be alluring to bunnies, her's seem to be irresistible to our neighborhood hoppers. How come?

Harper Atlas

Why is it that every time I pic out a potted fern from a nursery it’s massive and thriving, then approximately 37 seconds after I bring it home is starts dying? Am I cursed? What sorcery is this!?

Harper Atlas

omfg YES PLEASE CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS

Rylan Connors

When learning about ferns in undergrad we talked about “alternation of generations”. Do all ferns use this reproduction method? Where in evolutionary history did this diverge from other plants?

Rylan Connors

Are ferns more closely related to mosses since they both have sporophyte/gametophyte stages?

Sarah EG

why do so many doctors and dentist offices have ferns? They seem like such an odd choice for aesthetics in medical offices!

Warlock Fulltime

Is any part of your origin story linked to childhood traumatization from the film, Fern Gully, that most American adults of a certain age share? First time question baby, maybe.

Katie Wilder

I know that ferns are some of the most ancient plant types, first appearing back in the Paleozoic era. Are there any ancient species of ferns that still exist today? What is the oldest species of fern you know of?

Spencer Holtaway

What kinds of dinosaurs used to eat ferns? Were they cool or were they kinda loser dinosaurs nobody except ologists know about yet?

Spencer Holtaway

I love these questions that are about the subject and also a bit off the wall!

Spencer Holtaway

I’d like to know this, too. And are we talking Rav4 or Suburban?

Sarah Vanderkleed

What are the little red spots/dots/balls on the underside of the leaves?

Sarah Vanderkleed

Are there multiple types of ferns that we refer to as "fiddleheads" and eat as seedlings?

Rose L

How efficient / effective are ferns at cleaning the air in our homes in comparison to other houseplants? Maybe like a snake plant for example?

Rose L

How much have ferns evolved over time? Also : are they edible?

Noasusan

I'm studying biology, and I learned about ferns that catapult their spores??! Which is really cool and crazy. How exactly does it work?

Morgan Hilbert

What are the dots on the bottom of fern leaves?