Scandinavian Ferns

How early ferns became trees.

A new anatomically preserved fern, discovered from the basalmost Carboniferous of Australia, shows a unique combination of very primitive anatomical characters (solid centrarch cauline protostele) with the elaboration of an original model of the arborescent habit. This plant possessed a false trunk composed of a repetitive branching system of very small stems, which established it as the oldest...

Maidenhair Ferns, Adiantum, are Indeed Monophyletic and Sister to Shoestring Ferns, Vittarioids (Pteridaceae)

Across the tree of life, molecular phylogenetic studies often reveal surprising relationships between taxa with radically different morphologies that have long obscured their close affiliations. A spectacular botanical example is Rafflesia, a holoparasite that produces the largest flowers in the world, but that evolved from tiny-flowered ancestors within the Euphorbiaceae. Outside of parasitic ...

Double definiteness in Scandinavian

FERNS AND FERN ALLIES OF IRAN

The pteridophyte account of Flora Iranica (ed. K.H. Rechinger) is still not published. The Caspian forests provide suitable habitats for the growth of many ferns and fern allies in Iran. In semi-arid and mountainous areas of Iran, mesophilous plants are restricted to rock crevices, waterfall proximity, stream banks and lake shores. Based on field collections and study of herbarium specimens in ...

The Scandinavian Model – Prospects

Scandinavian countries are often portrayed in policy debates as model examples having shown how to square concerns for efficiency and equity. The core principle of the Scandinavian welfare model is an individual entitlement to public sector provisions combined with collective financing via taxes. However, a high employment rate is needed to ensure financial viability of this model. The Scandina...