Schizaeaceae - Comb ferns

 

Description of the family

Terrestrial or lithophitic ferns. Rhizome subterranean, short-creeping, branched, with closely-spaced dimorphic fronds. Sterile frond lamina simple, narrowly linear, with a simple, central midrib, glabrous or spacely set with hairs, grass-like. Fertile frond very narrowly linear with a terminal, simple or dichotomously branched, comb-like structure. Sporangia in 2 rows, one on either side of each fertile pinna, homosporous.

Worldwide: 2 genera and c.30 species worldwide, pantropical distribution.

 

Genera

  • Schizaea Sm.
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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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