Osmundaceae - Royal fern family

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

Description of the family

Terrestrial perrenial ferns with rhizomes erect or procumbent, enclosed by a mass of persistent stipe-bases and roots. Stipe winged at the base, cylindrical higher up. Fronds numerous, tufted, perennial or deciduous, 2-pinnate or deeply 2-3-pinnatifid. Sporangia large, borne either on both surfaces of narrow fertile pinnules or on the under surface of undifferentiated pinnae.

Worldwide: 4 genera and 20 species worldwide, occurring in both tropical and temperate regions

 

Genera

  • Osmunda L.
  • Todea Willd. ex Bernh.
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    Literature

  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M.2011Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature.
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G.1983The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.
  • Roux, J.P.2001Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13: 1-222.
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E.1970Pteridophyta. Flora Zambesiaca, 0: 1-254.

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