1. a flowerless plant with feathery or leafy fronds, typically growing in damp shady locations

Examples

• The forest floor was covered with delicate ferns.
• She planted Boston ferns in hanging baskets on her porch.
• Ferns reproduce by spores rather than seeds.
• The hiking trail wound through a grove of tall tree ferns.
• Ancient fern fossils show these plants existed millions of years ago.
• The maidenhair fern requires constant moisture to thrive.