Fern owl

Fern Fern (f[~e]rn), n. [AS. fearn; akin to D. varen, G. farn, farnkraut; cf. Skr. par[.n]a wing, feather, leaf, sort of plant, or Lith. papartis fern.] (Bot.) An order of cryptogamous plants, the {Filices}, which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain a gigantic size. [1913 Webster]

Note: The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia, containing minute spores, which germinate and form prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and the polypody are all well known ferns. [1913 Webster]

{Christmas fern}. See under {Christmas}.

{Climbing fern} (Bot.), a delicate North American fern ({Lygodium palmatum}), which climbs several feet high over bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of decoration.

{Fern owl}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The European goatsucker. (b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- {Fern shaw}, a fern thicket. [Eng.] --R. Browning. [1913 Webster]