The fern is heterosporous .

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Terms:**
- First, we need to clarify the terms "heterosporous" and "homosporous."
- Heterosporous plants produce two types of spores: male (microspores) and female (megaspores).
- Homosporous plants produce only one type of spore, which can develop into either male or female gametophytes.

2. **Identifying the Type of Spores in Ferns:**
- Ferns are classified as homosporous. This means they produce only one type of spore.
- The spores produced by ferns do not differentiate into male and female; they are not separated by sex.

3. **Conclusion:**
- Since ferns produce only one type of spore and do not have male and female spores, the statement "The fern is heterosporous" is incorrect.
- Therefore, the correct classification of ferns is homosporous.

4. **Final Statement:**
- The statement that "the fern is heterosporous" is false, as ferns are homosporous, producing only one type of spore.