Woodsiaceae

Small rock-dwelling ferns with many pairs of strongly lobed round to oblong leaflets, growing in tufts from short rootstocks, in the midst of a persistent stubble of old stem bases; Woodsias.

Round spore-producing structures (sporangia) occur on the undersides of leaflets, are distinct, crowded or confluent, and are protected by a cup-like membrane (indusium) consisting of thread-like segments that arch over them and are attached below them. Veins on leaves are free, somewhat indistinct, and do not run to the leaflet margins. Leaves smooth or hairy. Leaf stalks opaque, green or brown, shorter than the leaf blades and scaly, at least at the base. Stems jointed near the base, with persistent bases approximately equal in length.