Polypodiaceae is a

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...

s. In the

Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who collaborate to establish a consensus on the classification of pteridophytes ( lycophytes and ferns) that reflects knowledge about plant relatio ...

classification of 2016 (PPG I), the family includes around 65

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

and an estimated 1,650

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

and is placed in the order

Polypodiales The order Polypodiales encompasses the major lineages of polypod ferns, which comprise more than 80% of today's fern species. They are found in many parts of the world including tropical, semitropical and temperate areas. Description Polypodiale ...

, suborder

Polypodiineae Polypodiineae is a suborder of ferns in the order Polypodiales. It is equivalent to the clade eupolypods I in earlier systems, and to the very broadly defined family Polypodiaceae in the classification of Christenhusz & Chase (2014). It probably ...

. A broader

circumscription Circumscription may refer to: *Circumscribed circle * Circumscription (logic) *Circumscription (taxonomy) *Circumscription theory, a theory about the origins of the political state in the history of human evolution proposed by the American anthrop ...

has also been used, in which the family includes other families kept separate in PPG I. Nearly all species are

epiphyte An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

s, but some are terrestrial.

Description

Stems of Polypodiaceae range from erect to long-creeping. The

frond A frond is a large, divided leaf. In both common usage and botanical nomenclature, the leaves of ferns are referred to as fronds and some botanists restrict the term to this group. Other botanists allow the term frond to also apply to the lar ...

s are entire, pinnatifid, or variously forked or pinnate. The petioles lack

stipule In botany, a stipule is an outgrowth typically borne on both sides (sometimes on just one side) of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole). Stipules are considered part of the anatomy of the leaf of a typical flowering plant, although in many speci ...

s. The scaly

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

s are generally creeping in nature. Polypodiaceae species are found in wet climates, most commonly in

rain forest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainforest ...

s. In temperate zones, most species tend to be

epiphytic An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

or epipetric. Notable examples of ferns in this family include the resurrection fern (''

Pleopeltis polypodioides ''Pleopeltis polypodioides'' (syn. ''Polypodium polypodioides''), also known as the resurrection fern, is a species of creeping, coarse-textured fern native to the Americas and Africa. Description The evergreen fronds of this fern are 25 c ...

'') and the golden serpent fern (''

Phlebodium aureum ''Phlebodium aureum'' (golden polypody, golden serpent fern, cabbage palm fern, gold-foot fern, blue-star fern, hare-foot fern; syn. ''Polypodium aureum'', ''Polypodium leucotomos'') is an epiphytic fern native to tropical and subtropical regio ...

'').

Taxonomy

Two distinct circumscriptions of the family are in use. The

classification of 2016 (PPG I) uses a circumscription of Polypodiaceae in which the family is placed in the suborder

(eupolypods I), along with eight other families. The relationship between the families is shown in the consensus cladogram below. An alternative approach treats the suborder Polypodiineae as the family Polypodiaceae

sensu lato ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

, and reduces the families to subfamilies, so that the Polypodiaceae

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

becomes the subfamily Polypodioideae. The broader circumscription is used by

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It was launched in March 2017 with the ultimate aim being "to enable users to access information on all the world's known seed-bearing plants by ...

, ; for example, the

Dryopteridaceae The Dryopteridaceae are a Family (biology), family of leptosporangiate ferns in the Order (biology), order Polypodiales. They are known Common name, colloquially as the wood ferns. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG&n ...

, shown above as a separate family, is included in its Polypodiaceae. The broadly defined Polypodiaceae has been described as an "unwieldy megafamily".

Subfamilies

Molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

analysis has led to the division of the Polypodiaceae into six subfamilies, and to the inclusion of genera that have at various times been placed in other families, including the Drynariaceae, Grammitidaceae, Gymnogrammitidaceae, Loxogrammaceae, Platyceriaceae, and Pleurisoriopsidaceae. The following

cladogram A cladogram (from Greek ''clados'' "branch" and ''gramma'' "character") is a diagram used in cladistics to show relations among organisms. A cladogram is not, however, an evolutionary tree because it does not show how ancestors are related to d ...

shows a possible phylogenetic relationship between the subfamilies based on an analysis published in 2008; at the time, Grammitidoideae was not separated from Polypodioideae. The subfamilies are treated as tribes in other systems. Mabberley, in 2008, treated all of Polypodiaceae except for the Platycerioideae (''

Platycerium ''Platycerium'' is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely shaped fronds. This genus is epiphytic and is native to tropical and ...

'' and ''

Pyrrosia ''Pyrrosia'' is a genus of about 100 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Like other species in Polypodiaceae, the species of Pyrrosia are generally epiphytic on trees or rocks, a few species are terrestrial. The Latin name of Pyrr ...

'') and the grammitid ferns, which he placed in Grammitidaceae, as the subfamily Polypodioideae, which he then divided into six tribes, four of which correspond to PPG I subfamilies (Drynarieae, Loxogrammeae, Microsoreae and Polypodieae) and others of which have been submerged (Selligueeae, now within Drynarioideae, and Lepisoreae, now within Microsoroideae). Other systems also treat the subfamilies as tribes. The equivalence is shown in the following table.

Genera

In the list that follows, the taxa shown with the "(=)" prefix are considered to be synonyms for the accepted subfamily name that they follow. However, this does not necessarily imply that the subfamily contains all of the synonym's previous genera. Crypsinus hastatus mitudeurabosi01

* Subfamily

Drynarioideae Drynarioideae is a subfamily of the fern family Polypodiaceae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The subfamily is also treated as the tribe Drynarieae within a very broadly defined family Polypodiaceae ''sens ...

Crabbe, Jermy & Mickel :(=) tribe Drynarieae Subh.Chandra :(=) tribe Selligueeae (author?) :(=) family Drynariaceae Ching :Combines drynarioid and selligueoid ferns :*''

Aglaomorpha ''Aglaomorpha'' is the generic name of two groups of organisms. It can refer to: * ''Aglaomorpha'' (moth), a genus of moths in the family Erebidae * ''Aglaomorpha'' (plant), a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae {{Genus disambiguation ...

'' Schott :*''

Arthromeris ''Arthromeris'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Drynarioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who coll ...

'' (T.Moore) J.Sm. :*''

Gymnogrammitis ''Gymnogrammitis'' is a genus of ferns in the subfamily Drynarioideae of the family Polypodiaceae according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), with a single species ''Gymnogrammitis dareiformis''. Taxonomy T ...

'' Griff. :*''

Paraselliguea ''Paraselliguea'' is a genus of ferns in the subfamily Drynarioideae of the family Polypodiaceae according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), with a single species ''Paraselliguea leucophora''. Taxonomy The ...

'' Hovenkamp :*''

Polypodiopteris ''Polypodiopteris'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Drynarioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Taxonomy ''Polypodiopteris'' was first described by C.F. Reed in 19 ...

'' C.F.Reed :*'' Selliguea'' Bory Finger Fern Grammitis billardierei - Mt Imlay

* Subfamily

Grammitidoideae Grammitidoideae is a subfamily of the fern family Polypodiaceae, whose members are informally known as grammitids. It comprises a clade of about 750 species. They are distributed over higher elevations in both the Old and New World. This group w ...

Parris & Sundue :(includes family Grammitidaceae) :*''

Acrosorus ''Acrosorus'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). It is known from the Philippines, Malesia, Thailand, and the Pacific isla ...

'' Copel. :*''

Adenophorus ''Adenophorus'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is endemic to Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) ...

'' Gaudich. :*''

Alansmia ''Alansmia'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is mainly native to the Neotropics The Neotropical realm is ...

'' M.Kessler, Moguel, Sundue & Labiak :*''

Archigrammitis ''Archigrammitis'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). It is known from Malesia and Polynesia. Description The rhizomes a ...

'' Parris :*'' Ascogrammitis'' Sundue :*''

Calymmodon ''Calymmodon'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who col ...

'' C.Presl :*''

Ceradenia ''Ceradenia'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae Grammitidoideae is a subfamily of the fern family Polypodiaceae, whose members are informally known as grammitids. It comprises a clade of about 750 speci ...

'' L.E.Bishop :*'' Chrysogrammitis'' Parris :*''

Cochlidium ''Cochlidium'' is a genus of ferns belonging to the family Polypodiaceae Polypodiaceae is a family of ferns. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), the family includes around 65 genera and an estimated 1,650 specie ...

'' Kaulf. (including ''Xiphopteris'') :*''

Ctenopterella ''Ctenopterella'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). It is known from Africa through southeast Asia and Oceania to Polynes ...

'' Parris :*'' Dasygrammitis'' Parris :*''

Enterosora ''Enterosora'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). PPG I also recognizes the genus ''Zygophlebia'', which more recent ...

'' Baker :*'' Galactodenia'' Sundue & Labiak :*''

Grammitis ''Grammitis'' (dwarf polypody) is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). It had formerly been placed in the family Grammitidace ...

'' Sw. :*'' Lellingeria'' A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran :*'' Leucotrichum'' Labiak :*'' Lomaphlebia'' J.Sm. :*'' Luisma'' M.T.Murillo & A.R.Sm. :*''

Melpomene In Greek mythology, Melpomene (; grc, Μελπομένη, Melpoménē, to sing' or 'the one that is melodious), initially the muse of chorus, eventually became the muse of tragedy, and is now best known in that association. Etymology Melp ...

'' A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran :*''

Micropolypodium ''Micropolypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Grammitidoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). It is native to China, Japan, and the Philippines. Species Neot ...

'' Hayata :*'' Moranopteris'' R.Y.Hirai & J.Prado :*'' Mycopteris'' Sundue :*'' Notogrammitis'' Parris :*'' Oreogrammitis'' Copel. :*'' Prosaptia'' C.Presl (incl. ''Ctenopteris'') :*'' Radiogrammitis'' Parris :*'' Scleroglossum'' Alderw. (incl. ''Nematopteris'') :*'' Stenogrammitis'' Labiak :*''

Terpsichore In Greek mythology, Terpsichore (; grc-gre, Τερψιχόρη, "delight in dancing") is one of the nine Muses and goddess of dance and chorus. She lends her name to the word "terpsichorean" which means "of or relating to dance". Appearance ...

'' A.R.Sm. :*'' Themelium'' (T.Moore) Parris :*'' Tomophyllum'' (E.Fourn.) Parris :*'' Xiphopterella'' Parris :*'' Zygophlebia'' L.E.Bishop Strap fern dictymia mckeei tindale

* Subfamily

Loxogrammoideae Loxogrammoideae is a small subfamily of the fern family Polypodiaceae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), with two genera, '' Dictymia'' and '' Loxogramme''. The subfamily was previously considered to be a se ...

H.Schneid. :(=) tribe Loxogrammeae R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon :(=) family Loxogrammaceae Ching ex Pic.Serm. :Lacks sclerenchyma (supporting tissue) in plant body, except in the roots. :*''

Dictymia ''Dictymia'' is a small genus of ferns. They are found growing on rocks, or hanging from branches in Malesia Malesia is a biogeographical region straddling the Equator and the boundaries of the Indomalayan and Australasian realms, and also ...

'' J.Sm. :*''

Loxogramme ''Loxogramme'' is a genus of over 20 confirmed species of fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor fl ...

'' (Blume) C.Presl Microsorum pteropus

* Subfamily

Microsoroideae Microsoroideae is a subfamily in the fern family Polypodiaceae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The subfamily is also treated as the tribe Microsoreae within a very broadly defined family Polypodiaceae ''se ...

B.K.Nayar (as "Microsorioideae") :(=) tribe Microsoreae V.N.Tu :*'' Goniophlebium'' (Blume) C.Presl :*''

Lecanopteris ''Lecanopteris'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). They have swollen hollow rhizomes that provide homes for symbiotic ant ...

'' Reinw. ex Blume :*''

Lemmaphyllum ''Lemmaphyllum'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Taxonomy ''Lemmaphyllum'' was first described by Carl Presl in 1851. ...

'' C.Presl :*''

Lepidomicrosorium ''Lepidomicrosorium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, with a single species, ''Lepidomicrosorium subhastatum'', according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Other so ...

'' Ching & K.H.Shing :*''

Lepisorus ''Lepisorus'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Taxonomy ''Lepisorus'' was first described by John Smith in 1846 as the ...

'' (J.Sm.) Ching :*'' Leptochilus'' Kaulf. (including ''Kontumia'') :*''

Microsorum ''Microsorum'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The species are tropical. Like most ferns, they grow from rhizomes, ...

'' Link (including ''Dendroconche'', ''Kaulinia'') :*''

Neocheiropteris ''Neocheiropteris'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Taxonomy A molecular phylogenetic study in 2019 suggested that ''N ...

'' Christ. :*''

Neolepisorus ''Neolepisorus'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Taxonomy ''Neolepisorus'' was first described by Ren-Chang Ching in 19 ...

'' Ching :*'' Paragramma'' (Blume) T.Moore :*'' Thylacopteris'' Kunze ex J.Sm. :*''

Tricholepidium ''Tricholepidium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Taxonomy ''Tricholepidium'' was first described by Ren-Chang Ching i ...

'' Ching :In 2019, based on a

molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

study, ''Dendroconche'' was removed from synonymy with ''Microsorum'' and two additional genera were created, adding three genera to the subfamily: :*''

Bosmania ''Bosmania'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, erected in 2019. , the genus was not accepted by some sources. Description ''Bosmania'' species are terrestrial plants, lithophytes or epiphytes. They grow ...

'' Testo :*''

Dendroconche ''Dendroconche'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, erected in 2019. , the genus was not accepted by some sources. Description Species of ''Dendroconche'' are usually partially epiphytic. They grow from l ...

'' Copel. :*''

Zealandia Zealandia (pronounced ), also known as (Māori) or Tasmantis, is an almost entirely submerged mass of continental crust that subsided after breaking away from Gondwanaland 83–79 million years ago.Gurnis, M., Hall, C.E., and Lavier, L.L., ...

'' Testo * Subfamily

Platycerioideae Platycerioideae is a small subfamily of the fern family Polypodiaceae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The subfamily is also treated as the tribe Platycerieae within a very broadly defined family Polypodi ...

B.K.Nayar :(=) family Platyceriaceae Ching :Fronds with stellate hairs (star-shaped, radiating from center). :*''

'' Desv. :*''

'' Mirb.

* Subfamily

Polypodioideae Polypodioideae is a subfamily belonging to the fern family Polypodiaceae, which is a member of the suborder Polypodiineae in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Alternatively, the subfamily may be treated as th ...

Sweet :(=) tribe Polypodieae Hooker & Lindley ex Duby (''sensu'' Mabberley 2008) :*''

Campyloneurum ''Campyloneurum'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). They are commonly known as strap ferns. Species , ''Checklist of Fer ...

'' C.Presl :*'' Microgramma'' C.Presl :*''

Niphidium ''Niphidium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). They are native to tropical America. Species , ''Checklist of Ferns a ...

'' J.Sm. :*''

Pecluma ''Pecluma'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). They are called rockcap ferns. Species , ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycoph ...

'' M.G.Price. :*''

Phlebodium ''Phlebodium'' is a small genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.F ...

'' (R.Br.) J.Sm. :*''

Pleopeltis ''Pleopeltis'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus widely distributed in tropical regions of the world, and also ...

'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. :*''

Pleurosoriopsis ''Pleurosoriopsis'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus has only one species, ''Pleurosoriopsis makinoi'', native ...

'' Fomin :*''

Polypodium ''Polypodium'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest ...

'' L. Perhaps :*''

Serpocaulon ''Serpocaulon'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is native to Northern and Southern America South Am ...

'' A.R.Sm. * Subfamily placement uncertain: :*'' Synammia'' C.Presl

References

External links

Polypodiaceae (Polypody family)
{{Taxonbar, from=Q849350 Fern families Epiphytes Taxa named by Carl Borivoj Presl

Description

Taxonomy

Subfamilies

Genera

See also

References

External links