Woodsiaceae - Lady ferns and brittle ferns

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

Description of the family

Terrestrial or epilithic ferns. Rhizome creeping or suberect to erect. Fronds monomorphic, approximate or tufted. Stipe and rhachis adaxially grooved, stipe with 2 strap-shaped vascular bundles merging upward into a single U- or V-shaped bundle. Lamina pinnately compound, basiscopically developed or not; veins free or anastomosing. Sori superficial, circular to elongate, linear or J-shaped, borne on the veins, with or without an indusium, homosporus.

Worldwide: Near cosmopolitan distribution, 15 genera and c. 700 species worldwide.

 

Genera

  • Athyrium Roth
  • Cystopteris Bernh.
  • Deparia Hook. & Grev.
  • Diplazium Sw.
  • Gymnocarpium Newman
  • Woodsia R. Br.
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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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