Flora of New Zealand Series

Rhizomes erect to long-creeping, scaly. Fronds entire to 1-5-pinnate. Sporangia borne on abaxial surface of frond, usually in sori on veins or at vein endings, occasionally scattered. Sori round to elongate. Indusia 0, or variously shaped, most commonly peltate, reniform, or elongate. Annulus vertical. Homosporous; spores usually lacking chlorophyll.

c. 50-80 or more genera according to interpretaton, cosmopolitan.