Each sorus is a cluster of sporangia. The shape and position of the sori are important for identification of ferns. They provide the main features for identifying the different genera. Sori can be round, oval, oblong or considerably elongated. They may occur on the edge of the pinna or away from the edge. With a 10x hand lens, you’ll be able to see that the sori are composed of numerous, small, round bodies that are the sporangia.
Image acknowledgement: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
