Blechnaceae

Large coarse perennial deciduous fern growing in rows from a stout, widely creeping and branching underground stem (rhizome) and releasing spores from long narrow structures (sori) that are on the underside of the leaves, forming a chain-like row along both sides of the midrib of the leaflets and larger segments.The spore-producing structures often merge at maturity and are covered by an elongate protective membrane (indusium) that opens toward the midrib.

Leaves erect, twice-divided, reddish when young. Veins are united to form a single series of small spaces (areolae) next to the midrib of leaflets and their segments; spores occur on these.

Stem dark brown and lustrous, the leaf blade about the same length as its stalk.

In NB, the single species occurs almost exclusively in sphagnum moss in acid bogs and swamps.