Pteris Linnaeus. Common name: Brake.
A genus of about 250 species, warm temperate and tropical, as broadly circumscribed by Zhang et al. (2015). Infrageneric taxonomy (subgenera and sections) follow Zhang & Zhang (2018).
ID notes: Pteris is a diverse genus, making it difficult to characterize. Most of the Pteris in our region (excepting Pteris tripartita and Pteris plumula of Florida) are small to medium ferns of rock outcrops or the faux rock of walls, with 1-2-pinnate leaves.
References: Liao, Ding, Wu, Prado, & Gilbert in FoC (2013); Nauman (1993b) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Picard et al. (2021); Tryon, Tryon, & Kramer In Kramer & Green (1990); Wyatt (2020); Yawn et al. (2024); Zhang & Zhang (2018); Zhang et al. (2015). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Keith Bradley | Pteris multifida | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Pteris bahamensis | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Pteris multifida | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Pteris vittata | Original Image ⭷Feedback
See something missing or incorrect about Pteris? Let us know here:
- Please include your name and if possible, email in case when need to clarify what you wrote.
- If you opt out of including email, please be as specific as possible (e.g., which photo is incorrect?)
- Please do not submit questions asking to identify plants or about horticultural topics (e.g., how do I control an invasive plant in my garden?). Instead, those questions can be submitted here for the Carolinas region only.
- Please do not send us feedback about unkeyed species as this work is ongoing.
- Please allow time for flora edits to show in our next data release. We greatly appreciate your feedback but may require extra time to research complicated taxonomic issues.