Flora of New Zealand Series

Rhizomes erect or creeping, bearing scales or hairs. Fronds very variable in size and dissection. Sporangia on the abaxial surface of the frond, either scattered along anastomosing veins, or borne in sori along veins, at margin, or on a marginal vascular commissure. Indusia 0, or the lamina margin recurved as a modified indusium. Annulus usually vertical. Homosporous; spores lacking chlorophyll.

c. 35 genera, almost cosmopolitan.