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Botanical Family · Polypodiales

Polypodiaceae

Oakleaf Fern Family

9 speciesOrder Polypodiales2+ well-known plants

The Polypodiaceae family (Oakleaf Fern Family) is a botanical family placed in the order Polypodiales. In the SASYA catalogue it spans 9 species across 8 genera. Its members are predominantly herbs. Well-represented genera include Microsorum, Drynaria and Lepisorus. Several members are valued in traditional medicine. Familiar examples include Bigfruit Scaly Polypody and Lanceleaf Tongue Fern.

Browse all 9 species ↓
Representative POLYPODIACEAE specimen
Representative specimen · Polypodiaceae
Key pattern

Leathery fronds, often deeply lobed or once-divided, growing from a creeping rhizome frequently covered in papery scales; spores form in rounded clusters (sori) on the frond underside, usually without a protective covering (indusium).

As true ferns this family has no flowers or seeds — identification rests on frond shape, scale texture on the rhizome, and whether the round sori are covered by an indusium or left bare.

Identify the species

Which Polypodiaceae species is this?

Answer what you can see and narrow it down to a single Polypodiaceae species.

Click a node to trace its path · pinch or scroll to zoom · drag to pan
Leaf TypeIs the leaf a single blade, or divided into leaflets?
Fan-shaped, palmately divided
Once-divided (pinnate)
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Epiphyte
On rocks or walls

Typical leaf characters

  • ArrangementVariable
  • TypeVariable
  • Entire margin leaf characterMarginEntire
  • VenationVariable

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Notable members

Bigfruit Scaly PolypodyPleopeltis macrocarpaLanceleaf Tongue FernPyrrosia lanceolata

All 9 species in POLYPODIACEAE

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