Nephrolepidaceae

Abstract

The Nephrolepidaceae, in the order of Polypodiales, is a family of fern, consisting of only 1 genus, Nephrolepis Schott, with approximately 20 species, mostly distributed in tropical regions. Plants are medium-sized, terrestrial, or creeping on rocks or small trees. Rhizomes are short, erect, or long climbing, siphonostele or dictyostele, sparsely scaly. Scales are brown and peltately adhering. Fronds are distant or fascicled, without articulation at stipe base. Fronds are 1-pinnate. Veins are free. Sori are orbicular, terminal on a veinlet, and dorsal. Indusium is orbicular-reniform, often with a narrow sinus or lunulate, broadly attached. Spores are monolete, ellipsoid, double sided. One species, Nephrolepis cordifolia (Linn.) C. Presl, is illustrated in the chapter.