C-Fern™ is a specially derived strain of an unusual fern, Ceratopteris, with novel features that make it ideal for classroom use. C-Fern Classroom Kits are designed for use by up to 30 students working individually or in groups, depending upon the exercise. All Kits come complete with spores, petri dishes, special media, and detailed directions for students and instructors. For predictable results in C-Fern gametophyte development, adequate lighting is necessary and can be provided by a simple fluorescent lighting fixture. A stereomicroscope is necessary for viewing the stages.

Spores are provided presterilized and preweighed in graduated vials. Students just add water, inoculate petri dishes containing C-Fern Basic Medium, and maintain the dishes in culture domes that are a part of every kit. Cultures are grown under continuous lighting and within an ideal temperature range of 25° to 28° C. Spore germination and gametophyte development to sexual maturity, sexual reproduction, and early embryo development all take place within 14 days.

Continued development of the sporophyte and the meiotic production of spores takes place within 3 months. Because each culture dish contains hundreds of individuals, large population studies of genetic segregation, competition, and other plant-plant interactions are accomplished easily.

The C-Fern Manual (W1-15-6775) contains background information on Ceratopteris, detailed culture instructions, and a current set of laboratory investigations, as well as other support and technical information for use in a classroom/laboratory setting. The Manual and C-Fern Laboratory Investigations were developed jointly by Drs. Leslie G. Hickok and Thomas R. Warne of the University of Tennessee with support from the National Science Foundation and the University of Tennessee.


Meet the C-Fern™ Kit

Discover the ease of using C-Fern for hands-on student investigations of plant growth and development, genetics, population studies, and alternation of generations. All growing takes place in a petri dish and all stages are easily observed with a stereomicroscope. With instructions.

Sex in a Dish: C-Fern™ Life Cycle Kit

A dynamic introduction to the life cycle of this unique plant! A good prelude to other investigations. This exercise provides a clear illustration of organ and tissue differentiation in the developmentally simple gametophytes. Unlike many higher plants, gametophyte sexual development, swimming sperm, fertilization, and embryo development are directly visible using a stereomicroscope and simple culture equipment. Includes materials for 30 students. Experiment time is 21 days with optional extended observations over 3 months. With instructions. Reusable with Replacement Set.

The Pressures of Life: Population Density and C-Fern™ Development Kit

Two distinct investigations ­ carried out sequentially (2 kits in one). Quantitatively explore the effects of population density. First, explore the influence density has on gametophyte sex ratio and second, explore the effects of sporophyte competition. Includes materials for 30 students. Experiment time is 14 to 28 days. With instructions. Reusable with Replacement Set.

More Pressures of Life Kit

Expand The Pressures of Life Kit (W1-15-6704) with an additional investigation in which students use serial dilution of spore suspensions to estimate the weight of an individual spore. Includes materials for 30 students. Experiment time is 14 to 28 days. With instructions. Reusable with Replacement Set.

Genetics in Action: Mendelian Genetics Kit

Students visualize basic principles of Mendelian inheritance in the C-Fern by following the segregation of a visible marker, polka dot, in both the F₁ gametophyte and F₂ sporophyte generations. Students sow spores of an F₁ hybrid (wild type x polka dot) to produce F₁ gametophytes. By adding water to mature F₁ gametophytes, students visualize random fertilization events that produce the F₂ sporophyte generation. Hypotheses generated from observations of F₁ gametophytes are then tested by analysis of phenotypes and ratios in the F₂ sporophyte generation. The large sample numbers provided from class and individual data sets allow meaningful use of the Chi-square test. This investigation demonstrates the Mendelian principles of segregation, random fertilization, and dominance/recessiveness, and provides hands-on experience in data acquisition, hypothesis formation, and testing. Includes materials for 30 students. Experiment time is 14 to 28 days. With instructions. Reusable with Replacement Set.

Battle of the Sexes: C-Fern™ Sexual Differentiation Kit

Students actively explore the nature of sexual differentiation in C-Fern. Although all C-Fern gametophytes develop from genetically identical spores, their development into males or hermaphrodites is environmentally controlled by a pheromone-like system. Students investigate this phenomenon experimentally by repeatedly inoculating culture dishes over a period of 7 days and analyzing the resulting sex ratios. They then formulate testable hypotheses to account for the presence and frequency of each sexual type in different aged inoculations. In addition to the wild type, this exercise uses a maleless strain (her1) that is insensitive to the pheromonal system. Includes materials for 30 students. Experiment time is 14 days. With instructions. Reusable with Replacement Set.

C-Fern™ Spores

Available premeasured and presterilized in a kit-sized vial (enough to inoculate 35 petri dishes with 300+ spores/dish) or unsterilized in a bulk-sized vial (enough for 140 dishes). The bulk-sized vial comes with directions for spore surface sterilization. Store spores at room temperature in the dark; do not refrigerate.

Kit-sized Vial (presterilized) . . $7.50
Bulk-sized Vial (unsterilized) . . $15.00