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Glite Dictionary
Osmundaceae

Osmundaceae

9.9
A family of ferns with large feathery leaves that grow in warm and cool places
  • noun
  • /ˌɒzmənˈdeɪʃiː/
  • Specialized
: Osmundaceae
  • The Osmundaceae are recognized for their large, feathery fronds and distinctive sporangia.

Examples

  • Several species within the Osmundaceae family are cultivated as ornamental plants.

  • Paleobotanists study fossilized Osmundaceae to understand fern evolution.

  • The Osmundaceae family includes several species of ferns.

  • Have you seen the Osmundaceae growing in the garden?

  • Paleobotanists study fossilized Osmundaceae to understand fern evolution.

  • Several species within the Osmundaceae family are cultivated as ornamental plants.

  • The Osmundaceae are recognized for their large, feathery fronds and distinctive sporangia.

Surface Forms

Osmundaceae singular
Osmundaceae plural

Morphology

Osmundaceae = Osmunda (opaque) = Osmunda + aceae

The formation uses a specialized Latin taxonomic suffix ('-aceae') unfamiliar to average learners, so the family name's meaning is not derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Osmundaceae comes from the fern group name Osmunda plus the usual plant-family ending -aceae, which means 'family' and is the same ending found in Rosaceae for roses. The name Osmunda probably comes from an old personal name made of os 'god' and mund 'protection', so a helpful way to remember it is as the 'Osmunda' or royal fern 'family'.