Pteridaceae

Delicate deciduous ferns growing in rows or colonies from horizontal underground stems (rhizomes), with long narrow spore-forming structures (sori) on the undersides of the leaflets at the margins and protected by the inrolled margin of the leaflets (false indusium); Maidenhair Ferns and Rock-brakes.

Spores may be merged or separate.

The leaves and their stalks are quite varied from species to species, but the leaves are mostly twice divided.

Stems have persistent scales towards the base of the plant. Tend to find in crevices of limestone or calcium-rich rock, humus-rich soil, or nearly pH neutral soil.