Aspleniaceae - Spleenwort family

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

Description of the family

Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial plants. Rhizome creeping, suberect or erect, short or long, often stoloniferous. Stipe not articulated to the rhizome. Fronds monomorphic, widely spaced or tufted. Lamina simple or variously pinnately dissected, with or without a proliferous bud at or near the lamina apex; veins free or anastomosing at the margins. Sori linear (in ours), elongated and dorsally along a vein or shortened and near marginal; indusium narrow or obsolete.

Worldwide: 1-10 genera and c.720 species, cosmopolitan.

 

Genera

  • Asplenium L.
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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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