Marattia (Noun)
Meaning
Type genus of the Marattiaceae: ferns having the sporangia fused together in two rows.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The Marattia ferns are known for their unique arrangement of sporangia, which are fused together in two rows along the underside of the fronds.
- The genus Marattia is the type genus of the Marattiaceae family, which includes several species of ferns with similar characteristics.
- In the fossil record, Marattia is one of the most well-represented genera of ancient ferns, with many species found in coal deposits from the Carboniferous period.
- The Marattia ferns are often found growing in shaded, humid environments, where their unique sporangial arrangement may provide an adaptive advantage.
- Paleobotanists have used Marattia fossils to reconstruct the evolution of ferns during the Paleozoic era, when these plants first began to diversify.