Frond

A frond is an often large, divided leaf of a non-vascular plant. Fronds bear the reproductive structures of the sporophyte plant. Fronds consist of a stipe (the stem supporting the blade), a blade (which consists of photosynthetic tissue and a rachis), and a rachis (where the laminar tissue is attached). A pinna is each large division of the laminar tissue arising from the rachis. Pinnae may be arranged along the rachis either directly opposite one another or alternating. Fronds are mainly on ferns and palms (like the one shown above).