Question

The 'walking' fern is so named because

• A. Its spores are able to walk.
• B. It propagates vegetatively by its leaftips.
• C. It is dispersed through the agency of walking animals.
• D. It knows how to walk by itself.

Answer 1

The correct option is B It propagates vegetatively by its leaftips.

Adiantum caudatum which is a fern belonging to pteridophytes is named as 'walking fern' because it propagates vegetatively by its leaf tips. In Adiantum caudatum and other species, adventitious buds develop at leaf tips. When such leaf tips happen to touch the soil, they form new plants. The process helps in spreading the fern over a large area.