Family ATHYRIACEAE
Description: Terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect or short-creeping, covered with non-clathrate scales; stipes usually scaly at the base, not articulated to the rhizome.
Fronds uniform or dimorphic, vernation circinate; lamina simple, pinnate or more compound, membranous to herbaceous or less commonly ± leathery, glabrous or bearing a few scales; veins free or rarely anastomosing.
Sori superficial, circular or elongated along the veins, indusiate.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 9 genera, c. 650 species, chiefly tropical regions. Australia: c. 4 genera, 11 species, Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.
External links:
Wikipedia The generic limits within this family need re-evaluation.
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Sori circular | Cystopteris |
| Sori elongated along the veins | 2 |
| 2 | Fronds 1-pinnate with pinnae pinnatisect (pinnae divided almost to the midvein but divisions never stalked); rhizome medium-creeping, slender and covered with pale brown scales | Deparia |
| Fronds 2-pinnate or more compound; rhizome erect or short-creeping, thick and covered with dark brown to black scales
Back to 1 | Diplazium |
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