First examine your plant carefully in order to establish what is the stem (rhizome) and how much of the plant is a leaf (frond). Look for the largest repeated unit of lateral organ. Typically the leaf has bilateral symmetry (i.e. symmetry around the centre line), with a distinct upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) surface. In ferns, usually most of what is visible above ground is leaf. The stem (rhizome), which mostly has radial symmetry (i.e. has no distinct top or bottom) is often all underground. Note that in ferns there is no axillary bud to help define a leaf. Neither is there an apical bud. Leaves usually arise from the apical growing point of the stem but are quickly left behind by the continued growth of the stem. They do not remain for a period enfolding the stem apex as they do in seed plants.