Noun | 1. | ![]() fern - any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores genus Phegopteris, Phegopteris - beech ferns: genus is variously classified: considered alternative name for genus Dryopteris or included in genus Thelypteris broad beech fern, Dryopteris hexagonoptera, Phegopteris hexagonoptera, southern beech fern, Thelypteris hexagonoptera - beech fern of North American woodlands having straw-colored stripes Dryopteris phegopteris, long beech fern, narrow beech fern, northern beech fern, Phegopteris connectilis, Thelypteris phegopteris - beech fern of North America and Eurasia |