Pteridaceae E.D.M. Kirchner. Maidenhair Fern Family.

Key to Pteridaceae

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.

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