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Pteridaceae E.D.M. Kirchner. Maidenhair Fern Family.
A family of about 53 genera and about 1211 species. Here circumscribed to include Vittariaceae (see PPG 2016; Smith et al. 2006b). Following PPG 1 (PPG 2016), the family is divided into five subfamilies, which may ultimately be elevated to five families: family Adiantaceae or subfamily Vittarioideae (Adiantum, Vittaria), family Sinopteridaceae or subfamily Cheilanthoideae (Astrolepis, Argyrochosma, Bommeria, Myriopteris, Notholaena, Pellaea), family Cryptogrammaceae or subfamily Cryptogrammoideae (Cryptogramma), family Pteridaceae or subfamily Pteridoideae (Pityrogramma, Pteris), and family Parkeriaceae or subfamily Parkerioideae (Acrostichum, Ceratopteris).
ID notes: Pteridaceae is an important and diverse fern family in our region, especially southwards and westwards. The five subfamilial lineages and some of the genera within them are disparate in their gestalt, making it difficult to provide useful identification characterizations of the family as a whole (see the individual genera).
Ref: Christenhusz, Fay, & Byng (2018); Crane (1997); Grusz & Windham (2013); Kramer & Green (1990); Lellinger (1985); Lloyd (1993a) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Smith et al. (2006b); Tryon, Tryon, & Kramer In Kramer & Green (1990); Windham (1993a) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b). 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.
© Alan Cressler: Pellaea glabella, growing on Pennsylvanian age, Warren Point Sandstone, Foster Falls Small Wild Area, South Cumberland State Park, Marion County, Tennessee 2 by Alan Cressler | Pellaea glabella ssp. glabella source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Vittaria graminifolia, Clonal Gametophytes, and Juvenile Sporophytes, Alabama 4a by Alan Cressler | Vittaria graminifolia source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Acrostichum danaeifolium, Allapatchee Park, Alligator Creek, Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, Florida 2 by Alan Cressler | Acrostichum source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Pellaea wrightiana, Enchanted Rock, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Llano County, Texas 2 by Alan Cressler | Pellaea wrightiana source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Adiantum | Original Image ⭷
© Paul Marcum | Pteris vittata source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Cryptogramma stelleri, Tannery Creek Canyon, Twin Waterfalls Plant Preserve, Michigan Nature Association, Munising, Alger County, Michigan 1 by Alan Cressler | Cryptogramma stelleri source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Myriopteris | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Pellaea ovata, Enchanted Rock, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Llano County, Texas 2 by Alan Cressler | Pellaea ovata source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Astrolepis cochisensis, Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail, Slaughter Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Eddy County, New Mexico 2 by Alan Cressler | Astrolepis cochisensis ssp. chihuahuensis source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Bommeria hispida, Cattail Canyon, Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas 5 by Alan Cressler | Bommeria hispida source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Notholaena standleyi, King Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountains Section, Pima County, Arizona 1 by Alan Cressler | Notholaena standleyi source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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