Salviniales

Common water fern ( Salvinia natans ), illustration

The order Schwimmfarnartige ( Salviniales ) is among the ferns.

Features

The leaf blade is divided into fertile and sterile portions. The leaf veins anastomose. In root, stem axis and petioles air tissue are often present. An annulus is missing.

The plants are heterosporous. The spores germinate endospore. The gametophytes are reduced.

System

The order consists of two families:

• Schwimmfarngewächse ( Salviniaceae )
• Kleefarngewächse ( Marsileaceae )