Contains 8 genera and 29 accepted taxa overall.
This family is completely databased for all specimens.
Characteristics
PTERIDACEAE
Ferns and Allies
-
Classification
POLYPODIALES
PTERIDACEAE
Genera
| Genus | Common Name | Taxa Count | Herbarium Specimens | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrostichum | LEATHER FERN | 2 | ||
| Adiantum | MAIDENHAIR FERN | 8 | ||
| Ceratopteris | WATER FERN | 2 | ||
| Myriopteris | LIP FERN | 3 | ||
| Pellaea | CLIFF-BRAKE | 2 | ||
| Pityrogramma | SILVERBACK FERN | 2 | ||
| Pteris | BRAKE FERN | 9 | ||
| Vittaria | SHOESTRING FERN | 1 |
Identification Key
1. Leaves linear, simple
1. Leaves pinnately divided
2
2. Annuals, floating or loosely rooted in flooded or extremely saturated soils
2. Perennials, firmly rooted in xeric to saturated soils or rocky areas
3
3. Sporangia borne directly on reflexed marginal lobes of ultimate segments, lobes separate and distinct; veins of ultimate blade segments prominent, dichotomously branched, essentially parallel distally
3. Sporangia borne on abaxial leaf surface or, if seemingly attached to marginal lobes of ultimate segments, lobes confluent and poorly defined; veins of ultimate blade segments obscure or, if prominent, then pinnately branched and more divergent distally
2
4. Blade lower surface with white or yellow farina (this sometimes lost in heat-treated specimens); sporangia following veins for most of length
4. Blade lower surface without white or yellow farina; sporangia submarginal or completely covering surface
4
5. Leaves usually more than 1 m; veins strongly anastomosing throughout, forming several rows of areoles between costa and margin; Sporangia covering entire abaxial surface on fertile pinnae;;
5. Leaves <1 m long in most species (>1 m in Pteris tripartita); veins free or rarely anastomosing, not forming several rows of areoles between costa and margin; sporangia confined to marginal sori
5
5. Petioles longitudinally with 2-3 grooves
5. Petioles longitudinally with 1 groove or terete
6
6. Blade lower surface hairy, scaly, or glandular
6. Blade lower surface glabrous to glabrate