Sinopteridaceae - Cliff brakes and lip ferns

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

Description of the family

Plants terrestrial or lithophytic. Rhizome mostly erect or suberect, rarely creeping. Fronds numerous, mostly monomorphic, simple to 5-pinnate. Sori marginal or linear along veins, exindusiate or covered by a modified marginal indusium; homosporous.

Comment: Sometimes included as a subfamily in the Pteridaceae

Worldwide: 20 genera, ± 400 species worldwide

 

Genera

  • Aleuritopteris Fée
  • Cheilanthes Sw.
  • Cosentinia Tod.
  • Doryopteris J.Sm.
  • Paraceterach (F.Müell.) Copel.
  • Pellaea Link
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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.

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