''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 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 flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...
s in the subfamily
Pteridoideae
''Pteridoideae'' is one of the five subfamilies of the fern family Pteridaceae. This subfamily contains about 14 genera and around 400 species.
Taxonomy Phylogeny
The following diagram shows a likely phylogenic relationship between Pteridoideae ...
of the family
Pteridaceae.
[ They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to ]New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
, Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, and South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
, north to Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
and North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
. 78 species (35 endemic) are found in China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
. Some species of Pteris have considerable economic and ecological value, such as Pteris multifida, Pteris ensiformis
''Pteris ensiformis'', the slender brake, silver lace fern, sword brake fern, or slender brake fern, is a plant species of the genus Pteris in the family Pteridaceae. It is found in Asia and the Pacific.
Uses Beverages
It is the most common ing ...
, Pteris vittata
''Pteris vittata'', commonly known variously as the Chinese brake, Chinese ladder brake, or simply ladder brake, is a fern species in the Pteridoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. It is indigenous to Asia, southern Europe, tropical Africa and Au ...
can be used for ornamental purposes; as a hyperaccumulator A hyperaccumulator is a plant capable of growing in soil or water with very high concentrations of metals, absorbing these metals through their roots, and concentrating extremely high levels of metals in their tissues. The metals are concentrated a ...
, Pteris multifida and Pteris vittata can be used to control soil pollution.
Many of them have linear frond segments, and some have sub-palmate division. Like other members of the Pteridaceae, the frond margin is reflexed over the marginal sori. The outermost layer is the single layered epidermis
The epidermis is the outermost of the three layers that comprise the skin, the inner layers being the dermis and hypodermis. The epidermis layer provides a barrier to infection from environmental pathogens and regulates the amount of water rele ...
without stomata. The cortex is differentiated into outer and inner cortical region. The vascular cylinder is an amphiphloic siphonostele.
The term "brake", used for members of this genus, is a Middle English
Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...
word for "fern" from southern England. Its derivation is unclear, and is generally thought to be related to "bracken
Bracken (''Pteridium'') is a genus of large, coarse ferns in the family Dennstaedtiaceae. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells (eggs ...
", whereby the latter word has been assumed to be a plural, as with "children", and the former word a back-formation. However it may have a separate derivation.
The Latin genus name ''Pteris'' refers to the Greek name for fern (also meaning feathery).[D. Gledhill
]
;Selected species
*''Pteris aberrans
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Alderw.
*''Pteris abyssinica
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Hieron.
*''Pteris actiniopteroides
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Christ
*''Pteris adscensionis
''Pteris adscensionis'' is a fern species in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. It is endemic to Ascension Island, and there are thought to be fewer than 500 individuals left in the wild. Its natural habitat
In ecol ...
'' Sw.
*''Pteris albersii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Hieron.
*''Pteris albertiae
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Arbelaez
*''Pteris altissima
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Poir.
*''Pteris amoena
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Bl.
*'' Pteris angustata'' ( Fée) C. Morton
*''Pteris angustipinna
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Tagawa
*''Pteris angustipinnula
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ching & S.H.Wu
*'' Pteris appendiculifera'' Alderw.
*'' Pteris arborea'' L.
*''Pteris argyraea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Moore
*'' Pteris aspericaulis'' Wall. ex Hieron.
*''Pteris asperula
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' J. Sm. ex Hieron.
*''Pteris atrovirens
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Willd.
*'' Pteris auquieri'' Pichi-Serm.
*'' Pteris austrosinica'' (Ching) Ching
*'' Pteris bahamensis'' (Agardh) Fée
*''Pteris bakeri
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' C. Chr.
*''Pteris baksaensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Ching
*'' Pteris balansae'' Fourn.
*'' Pteris bambusoides'' Gepp
*'' Pteris barbigera'' Ching
*'' Pteris barklyae'' (Baker) Mett
*'' Pteris barombiensis'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris bavazzanoi'' Pichi-Serm.
*''Pteris beecheyana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Ag.
*'' Pteris bella'' Tagawa
*'' Pteris berteroana'' Ag.
*'' Pteris biaurita'' L.
*''Pteris biformis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Splitg.
*'' Pteris blanchetiana'' Presl ex Ettingsh.
*'' Pteris blumeana'' Agardh
*''Pteris boninensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' H. Ohba
*''Pteris brassii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' C. Chr.
*''Pteris brevis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Copel.
*''Pteris brooksiana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Alderw.
*'' Pteris buchananii'' Bak. ap. Sim.
*'' Pteris buchtienii'' Rosenst.
*'' Pteris burtonii'' Bak.
*''Pteris cadieri
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ
*'' Pteris caesia'' Copel.
*'' Pteris caiyangheensis'' L.L. Deng
*'' Pteris calcarea'' Kurata
*''Pteris calocarpa
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Copel.) M. Price
*'' Pteris catoptera'' Kze.
*'' Pteris chiapensis'' A. R. Sm.
*'' Pteris chilensis'' Desv.
*'' Pteris christensenii'' Kjellberg
*'' Pteris chrysodioides'' (Fée) Hook.
*'' Pteris ciliaris'' Eat.
*'' Pteris clemensiae'' Copel.
*''Pteris comans
''Pteris comans'' is a fern from eastern Australia and New Zealand. The habitat of the hairy bracken or netted brake is rainforest or moist open forest. The botanist Johann Georg Adam Forster
Johann George Adam Forster, also known as Geo ...
'' Forst.
*''Pteris commutata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Kuhn
*'' Pteris concinna'' Hew.
*'' Pteris confertinervia'' Ching
*''Pteris confusa
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' T. G. Walker
*'' Pteris congesta'' Prado
*'' Pteris consanguinea'' Mett. ex Kuhn
*''Pteris coriacea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Desv.
*'' Pteris crassiuscula'' Ching & Wang
*''Pteris cretica
''Pteris cretica'', the Cretan brake, ribbon fern, or Cretan brake fern, is a species of evergreen fern in the family Pteridaceae, native to Europe, Asia and Africa.
Description
The fern grows to tall by broad. It has arching pinnate fronds ...
'' L.
*''Pteris croesus
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bory
*'' Pteris cryptogrammoides'' Ching
*'' Pteris cumingii'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris dactylina'' Hook.
*''Pteris daguensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Hieron.) Lellinger
*'' Pteris dalhousiae'' Hook.
*'' Pteris dataensis'' Copel.
*'' Pteris dayakorum'' Bonap.
*'' Pteris decrescens'' Christ
*'' Pteris decurrens'' Presl
*''Pteris deflexa
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Link
*''Pteris deltea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ag.
*'' Pteris deltodon'' Bak.
*''Pteris deltoidea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Copel.
*''Pteris dentata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Forsskal
*''Pteris denticulata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Sw.
*'' Pteris dispar'' Kze.
*'' Pteris dissimilis'' (Fee) Chr.
*'' Pteris dissitifolia'' Bak.
*'' Pteris distans'' J. Sm.
*'' Pteris droogmaniana'' L. Linden
*'' Pteris edanyoi'' Copel.
*'' Pteris ekmanii'' C. Chr.
*''Pteris elmeri
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ ex Copel.
*''Pteris elongatiloba
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bonap.
*'' Pteris endoneura'' M. Price
*''Pteris ensiformis
''Pteris ensiformis'', the slender brake, silver lace fern, sword brake fern, or slender brake fern, is a plant species of the genus Pteris in the family Pteridaceae. It is found in Asia and the Pacific.
Uses Beverages
It is the most common ing ...
'' Burm.
*'' Pteris esquirolii'' Christ
*''Pteris excelsa
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Gaud.
*'' Pteris famatinensis'' Sota
*'' Pteris fauriei'' Hieron.
*''Pteris finotii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ
*'' Pteris flava'' Goldm.
*''Pteris formosana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bak.
*'' Pteris fraseri'' Mett. ex Kuhn
*''Pteris friesii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris gallinopes'' Ching
*'' Pteris geminata'' Wall.
*''Pteris gigantea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Willd.
*''Pteris glaucovirens
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Goldm.
*'' Pteris goeldii'' Christ
*''Pteris gongalensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' T. G. Walker
*'' Pteris grandifolia'' L.
*''Pteris grevilleana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Wall. ex Agardh
*'' Pteris griffithii'' Hook.
*'' Pteris griseoviridis'' C. Chr.
*'' Pteris guangdongensis'' Ching
*''Pteris guizhouensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Ching
*''Pteris haenkeana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Presl
*'' Pteris hamulosa'' Christ
*'' Pteris hartiana'' Jenm.
*''Pteris heteroclita
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Desv.
*'' Pteris heteromorpha'' Fée
*''Pteris heterophlebia
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Kze.
*'' Pteris hillebrandii'' Copel.
*'' Pteris hirsutissima'' Ching
*'' Pteris hirtula'' (C. Chr.) C. Morton
*'' Pteris hispaniolica'' Maxon
*'' Pteris holttumii'' C. Chr.
*'' Pteris hondurensis'' Jenm.
*'' Pteris hookeriana'' Ag.
*''Pteris hossei
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris hostmanniana'' Ettingsh.
*'' Pteris hui'' Ching
*''Pteris humbertii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' C. Chr.
*'' Pteris hunanensis'' C.M.Zhang
*'' Pteris inaequalis'' (Fée) Jenm.
*'' Pteris incompleta'' Cav.
*''Pteris inermis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Rosenstock) Sota
*'' Pteris insignis'' Mett. ex Kuhn
*''Pteris intricata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Wright
*''Pteris intromissa
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ
*''Pteris irregularis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Kaulf.
*''Pteris iuzonensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris izuensis'' Ching
*'' Pteris johannis-winkleri'' C. Chr.
*''Pteris junghuhnii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Reinw.) Bak.
*'' Pteris kawabatae'' Kurata
*'' Pteris keysseri'' Rosenst.
*'' Pteris khasiana'' (Clarke) Hieron.
*''Pteris kidoi
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Kurata
*'' Pteris kinabaluensis'' C. Chr.
*'' Pteris kingiana'' Endl.
*'' Pteris kiuschiuensis'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris laevis'' Mett.
*''Pteris lanceifolia
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ag.
*''Pteris lastii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' C. Chr.
*''Pteris laurea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Desv.
*'' Pteris laurisilvicola'' Kurata
*'' Pteris lechleri'' Mett.
*'' Pteris lepidopoda'' M.Kato & K.U.Kramer
*'' Pteris leptophylla'' Sw.
*'' Pteris liboensis'' P.S.Wang
*''Pteris ligulata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Gaud.
*''Pteris limae
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Brade
*''Pteris linearis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Poir.
*''Pteris litoralis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Rechinger
*''Pteris livida
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Mett.
*'' Pteris loheri'' Copel.
*''Pteris longifolia
''Pteris longifolia'', the longleaf brake is a species of fern in the Pteridoideae
''Pteridoideae'' is one of the five subfamilies of the fern family Pteridaceae. This subfamily contains about 14 genera and around 400 species.
Taxonomy Phylo ...
'' L.
*''Pteris longipes
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' D. Don
*'' Pteris longipetiolulata'' Lellinger
*'' Pteris longipinna'' Hayata
*'' Pteris longipinnula'' Wall.
*'' Pteris luederwaldtii'' Rosenst.
*'' Pteris luschnathiana'' (Kl.) Bak.
*''Pteris luzonensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris lydgatei'' (Bak.) Christ
*''Pteris macgregorii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Copel.
*'' Pteris macilenta'' A. Rich.
*'' Pteris maclurei'' Ching
*'' Pteris maclurioides'' Ching
*'' Pteris macracantha'' Copel.
*'' Pteris macrodon'' Bak.
*'' Pteris macrophylla'' Copel.
*''Pteris macroptera
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Link
*'' Pteris madagascarica'' Ag.
*'' Pteris majestica'' Ching
*'' Pteris malipoensis'' Ching
*''Pteris manniana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Mett. ex Kuhn
*'' Pteris melanocaulon'' Fée
*'' Pteris melanorhachis'' Copel.
*'' Pteris menglaensis'' Ching
*'' Pteris mertensioides'' Willd.
*'' Pteris mettenii'' Kuhn
*'' Pteris micracantha'' Copel.
*'' Pteris microdictyon'' (Fée) Hook.
*'' Pteris microlepis'' Pichi-Serm.
*''Pteris microptera
'' Pteris microptera '' is a fern in the family Pteridaceae.
Description
The fern has a stout and erect rhizome covered with triangular brown scales. The fronds are tufted and glossy, growing to 0.5–2 m in height. The species is part of ...
'' Mett. ex Kuhn
*''Pteris mildbraedii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris moluccana'' Bl.
*'' Pteris monghaiensis'' Ching
*'' Pteris montis-wilhelminae'' Alston
*'' Pteris morii'' Masam.
*'' Pteris mucronulata'' Copel.
*'' Pteris multiaurita'' Ag.
*'' Pteris multifida'' Poir.
*''Pteris muricata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hook.
*'' Pteris muricatopedata'' Arbelaez
*''Pteris muricella
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Fée
*'' Pteris mutilata'' L.
*''Pteris natiensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Tagawa
*'' Pteris navarrensis'' H. Christ
*'' Pteris nipponica'' Shieh
*'' Pteris novae-caledoniae'' Hook.
*''Pteris obtusiloba
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ching & S.H.Wu
*'' Pteris occidentalisinica'' Ching
*'' Pteris olivacea'' Ching in Ching & S. H. Wu
*''Pteris opaca
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' J. Sm.
*'' Pteris oppositipinnata'' Fée
*'' Pteris orientalis'' Alderw.
*'' Pteris orizabae'' M. Martens & Galeotti
*'' Pteris oshimensis'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris otaria'' Bedd.
*'' Pteris pachysora'' (Copel.) M. Price
*'' Pteris pacifica'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris paleacea'' Roxb.
*''Pteris papuana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ces.
*'' Pteris parhamii'' Brownlie
*'' Pteris paucinervata'' Fée
*'' Pteris paucipinnata'' Alston
*'' Pteris paulistana'' Rosenst.
*''Pteris pearcei
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bak.
*''Pteris pedicellata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Copel.
*'' Pteris pediformis'' M.Kato & K.U.Kramer
*'' Pteris pellucida'' Presl
*'' Pteris perrieriana'' C. Chr.
*'' Pteris perrottetii'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris philippinensis'' Fée
*'' Pteris phuluangensis'' Tag. & Iwatsuki
*'' Pteris pilosiuscula'' Desv.
*''Pteris plumbea
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ
*''Pteris pluricaudata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Copel.
*''Pteris podophylla
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Sw.
*''Pteris polita
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Link
*''Pteris polyphylla
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Presl) Ettingsh.
*'' Pteris porphyrophlebia'' C. Chr. & Ching
*'' Pteris praetermissa'' T. G. Walker
*''Pteris preussii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris prolifera'' Hieron.
*''Pteris propinqua
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' J. Agardh
*'' Pteris pseudolonchitis'' Bory ex Willd.
*'' Pteris pseudopellucida'' Ching
*'' Pteris pteridioides'' (Hook.) Ballard
*'' Pteris puberula'' Ching
*''Pteris pulchra
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Schlecht. & Cham.
*''Pteris pungens
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Willd.
*'' Pteris purdoniana'' Maxon
*'' Pteris purpureorachis'' Copel.
*''Pteris quadriaurita
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Retz.
*''Pteris quinquefoliata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Copel.) Ching
*'' Pteris quinquepartita'' Copel.
*''Pteris radicans
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ
*'' Pteris ramosii'' Copel.
*''Pteris rangiferina
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Presl ex Miq.
*''Pteris reducta
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bak.
*''Pteris remotifolia
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bak.
*''Pteris reptans
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' T.G. Walker
*'' Pteris rigidula'' Copel.
*''Pteris rosenstockii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' C. Chr.
*'' Pteris roseo-lilacina'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris ryukyuensis'' Tagawa
*''Pteris satsumana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Kurata
*''Pteris saxatilis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Carse
*''Pteris scabra
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bory ex Willd.
*''Pteris scabripes
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Wall.
*''Pteris schlechteri
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Brause
*''Pteris schwackeana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Christ
*'' Pteris semiadnata'' Phil.
*'' Pteris semipinnata'' L.
*'' Pteris sericea'' (Fée) Christ
*''Pteris setigera
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Hook. ex Beddome) Nair
*'' Pteris setuloso-costulata'' Hayata
*'' Pteris shimenensis'' C.M.Zhang
*''Pteris shimianensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' H.S.Kung
*''Pteris silvatica
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Alderw.
*'' Pteris similis'' Kuhn
*'' Pteris simplex'' Holtt.
*'' Pteris sintenensis'' (Masam.) C.M.Kuo
*''Pteris speciosa
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Mett. ex Kuhn
*'' Pteris splendens'' Kaulf.
*'' Pteris splendida'' Ching
*'' Pteris squamaestipes'' C. Chr. & Tardieu
*''Pteris squamipes
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Copel.
*'' Pteris stenophylla'' Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.
*''Pteris stridens
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ag.
*'' Pteris striphnophylla'' Mickel
*'' Pteris subindivisa'' Clarke
*''Pteris subquinata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' (Wall. ex Bedd.) Agardh
*'' Pteris subsimplex'' Ching
*''Pteris sumatrana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bak.
*'' Pteris swartziana'' Ag.
*'' Pteris taiwanensis'' Ching
*''Pteris talamauana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Alderw.
*'' Pteris tapeinidiifolia'' H.Itô
*''Pteris tarandus
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' M.Kato & K.U.Kramer
*''Pteris tenuissima
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Ching
*''Pteris togoensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hieron.
*'' Pteris torricelliana'' Christ
*''Pteris trachyrachis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' C. Chr.
*''Pteris transparens
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Mett.
*''Pteris tremula
''Pteris tremula'', commonly known as Australian brake, tender brake, tender brakefern, shaking brake is a fern species of the family Pteridaceae native to sheltered areas and forests in eastern Australia and New Zealand. It has pale green, lac ...
'' R. Br.
*'' Pteris treubii'' Alderw.
*''Pteris tricolor
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Linden
*'' Pteris tripartita'' Sw.
*'' Pteris tussaci'' (Fée) Hook.
*''Pteris umbrosa
''Pteris umbrosa'' is a fern from eastern Australia. The habitat of the jungle brake is rainforest where it can form large colonies in shaded moist situations. There are several populations of this fern in the northern suburbs of Sydney. However ...
'' R. Br.
*'' Pteris undulatipinna'' Ching
*''Pteris usambarensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Hier.
*'' Pteris vaupelii'' Hieron.
*''Pteris venusta
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and N ...
'' Kunze
*''Pteris verticillata
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' (L.) Lellinger & Proctor
*'' Pteris vieillardii'' Mett.
*'' Pteris viridissima'' Ching
*''Pteris vitiensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Bak.
*''Pteris vittata
''Pteris vittata'', commonly known variously as the Chinese brake, Chinese ladder brake, or simply ladder brake, is a fern species in the Pteridoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. It is indigenous to Asia, southern Europe, tropical Africa and Au ...
'' L.
*'' Pteris wallichiana'' Agardh
*'' Pteris wangiana'' Ching
*'' Pteris warburgii'' Christ
*''Pteris werneri
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Rosenstock) Holtt.
*'' Pteris whitfordii'' Copel.
*''Pteris woodwardioides
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan an ...
'' Bory ex Willd.
*'' Pteris wulaiensis'' C.M.Kuo
*'' Pteris yakuinsularis'' Kurata
*''Pteris yamatensis
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Tagawa) Tagawa
*''Pteris zahlbruckneriana
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' Endl.
*''Pteris zippelii
''Pteris'' (brake) is a genus of about 300 species of ferns in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, southward to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, north to Japan and ...
'' (Miq.) M.Kato & K.U.Kramer
Cultivation and uses
Some of these ferns are popular in cultivation as houseplants. These smaller species are often called "table ferns".
''Pteris vittata'' (commonly known as brake fern) was discovered to have the ability to "hyperaccumulate" (absorb large amounts of) arsenic
Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As and atomic number 33. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, usually in combination with sulfur and metals, but also as a pure elemental crystal. Arsenic is a metalloid. It has various allotropes, but ...
from soil. The fern was growing at a central Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
site contaminated with large amounts of copper arsenate
Copper arsenate (Cu3(AsO4)2·4H2O, or Cu5H2(AsO4)4·2H2O), also called copper orthoarsenate, tricopper arsenate, cupric arsenate, or tricopper orthoarsenate, is a blue or bluish-green powder insoluble in water and alcohol and soluble in aqueous a ...
in the soil. Dr. Lena Q. Ma of the University of Florida
The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida, traces its origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its ...
later discovered that it had hyperaccumulated considerable amounts of arsenic from the soil. The discovery may lead to the use of ''Pteris vittata'' as a potential bioremediation plant.
References
Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Pteris''
Flora of North America: ''Pteris''
Flora of India ''Pteris'' species list
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2451124
Pteris,
Fern genera