Description: Rhizome creeping, densely covered with narrow, dark, non-peltate scales.
Fronds not dimorphic, not strongly circinate; stipe wiry, brown to black, usually glossy, sometimes densely scaly, the bases persistent; lamina 1-pinnate [more compound in non-Australian species]; pinnae entire, leathery, mostly glabrous; veins obscure, free.
Sori linear, submarginal, with false indusium continuous along the margin of the pinna, formed from the reflexed margin.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 35 species, tropical to temperate regions. Australia: 5 species, Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Fronds 1-pinnate | 2 |
| Fronds 2- to 3-pinnate | Pellaea viridis |
| 2 | Rachis scales and hairs mid-brown to dark brown, spreading, persistent; stalks of basal pinna <1.5 mm long | 3 |
| Rachis scales and hairs whitish to pale brown, ± appressed, antrorse; scales often not persistent; stalks of basal pinnae at least 1.5 mm long
Back to 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Rachis scales mostly 3–4 mm long; pinnae 22–56 mm long | Pellaea falcata |
| Rachis scales mostly 1–2.5 mm long; pinnae 5–25 mm long
Back to 2 | Pellaea nana |
| 4 | Pinnae asymmetric, 20–60 mm long, all lateral pinnae ± the same size | Pellaea paradoxa |
| Pinnae symmetric about the midrib, 14–30 mm long; lateral pinnae progressively reducing in length and width towards the apex of the frond
Back to 2 | Pellaea calidirupium |
|
