Dennstaedtiaceae - Bracken and ground ferns

Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton.

Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature

Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.

Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13

Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands

Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta FZ

Description of the family

Large terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes subterranean, short erect or creeping, with reddish hairs. Fronds monomorphic, large with long stipes, 3-4-pinnate. Veins free or rarely anastomosing, without included veinlets, mostly ending near or in the margin. Indumentum variable. Sori circular or elongate, confined to the sinuses, marginal, sub-marginal or superficial near the margin. Exindusiate or indusium cup-shaped, a modified lobe margin, a reflexed margin or a well developed outer marginal and partially developed inner indusium, composed of groups of closely spaced acicular hairs. Worldwide: 11 genera and c. 170 species, cosmopolitan

More sample images from the Dennstaedtiaceae (Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record)

Microlepia speluncae

Pteridium aquilinum subsp. capense

Pteridium aquilinum subsp. centrali-africanum

Blotiella glabra

Histiopteris incisa

Links to genera:     View: living plant images - herbarium specimen images - all images for this family

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