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 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.

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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

Family identification method

To check whether a plant belongs to Polypodiaceae, compare the leaf arrangement, leaf type, flower symmetry, fruit type, and one distinctive marker together. A single feature can mislead; the family pattern is the combination.

Learn the full family-identification method

Typical leaf characters

ArrangementVariable
TypeVariable
MarginEntire
VenationVariable

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Notable members

Bigfruit Scaly PolypodyPleopeltis macrocarpaLanceleaf Tongue FernPyrrosia lanceolata

Families that can look similar

Pteridaceae

Compare against Pteridaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.

Compare Pteridaceae

Dryopteridaceae

Compare against Dryopteridaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.

Compare Dryopteridaceae

Thelypteridaceae

Compare against Thelypteridaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.

Compare Thelypteridaceae

Aspleniaceae

Compare against Aspleniaceae when the plant shares similar leaves, flowers, or fruit. Confirm by checking the full family pattern.

Compare Aspleniaceae

All 9 species in POLYPODIACEAE

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