Overview of Pteridaceae Plant Family
Pteridaceae is a diverse and widespread family of ferns. It belongs to the class Polypodiopsida and order Polypodiales. Members of this family can be found in many different habitats worldwide, from deserts to rainforests.
Classification and Taxonomy of Pteridaceae
The Pteridaceae family is divided into several subfamilies, including Adiantoideae, Cheilanthoideae, Ceratopteridoideae, Cryptogrammoideae, Hemionitidoideae, Pteridoideae, and Vittarioideae. More than 100 genera and 1000 species are included in this family.
The taxonomy of Pteridaceae has been revised several times, and some species have been reclassified into different genera. For example, what was once considered a single genus, Adiantum, has been split into several smaller genera.
Unique Characteristics of Pteridaceae
One of the characteristics that distinguishes Pteridaceae from other fern families is the presence of a scale or hair-like structures called paraphyses on the underside of the leaflet. These structures help to protect the reproductive organs of the fern.
Another unique feature of this family is the posibility to capture and digest insects. Some species of Pteridaceae have sticky glands or hairs on their leaves that can capture small insects, which are then digested to provide additional nutrients to the plant.
Finally, many species of Pteridaceae are able to survive in harsh environments by means of adaptations such as specialized roots or fronds that tightly roll up to prevent moisture loss in environments with low humidity.
Distribution of Pteridaceae family
The Pteridaceae family is a large family of ferns comprising about 1300 species in 50 genera. This family is widely distributed throughout the world in diverse habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. The majority of the species in this family are found in subtropical and tropical regions. They are also found in temperate regions, but in smaller numbers.
The family is most diverse in the American continent, particularly in South America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. The family is also well represented in Africa, Asia, and Australasia.
Habitat of Pteridaceae family
The plants of the Pteridaceae family exhibit a great diversity of habitats, reflecting their broad geographic distribution. Plants from this family can be found growing in a range of habitats, including rocky outcroppings, sand dunes, grasslands, forests, and wetlands.
Their natural habitats can be well-defined or highly variable, ranging from wet to dry environments. Members of this family exhibit a remarkable tolerance to harsh environments, from the extreme aridity of deserts to the high humidity of tropical rainforests. They also exhibit a wide range of growth forms, from epiphytes to terrestrial, and from herbaceous to woody in some genera.
Ecological preferences and adaptations
Members of the Pteridaceae family exhibit several adaptations that allow them to thrive in harsh environments. Many species in this family have tough leaves that can withstand desiccation and high temperatures. They also have specialized anatomical structures, like small, deeply divided leaves, that reduce transpiration, enabling them to conserve water.
Many plants of this family are adapted to living on rocks or other infertile substrates. These plants have adapted to obtain mineral nutrition from very poor soils, by forming mutualistic relationships with certain fungi known as mycorrhizae, which provide the plants with mineral nutrients.
Some species of this family can fix atmospheric nitrogen, which enables them to thrive in nutrient-poor environments. Additionally, some members of this family exhibit adaptations to fire-prone environments, such as underground rhizomes that allow them to resprout after a fire.
General Morphology and Structure of Pteridaceae Plants
The Pteridaceae family is diverse and contains over 1000 species of ferns that are widely distributed around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Pteridaceae plants have a characteristic frond structure and a vascular system that allows them to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. The roots of Pteridaceae plants are fibrous and lack root hairs, while the stems are short and surrounded by fronds that grow directly from the ground. The fronds display a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be simple or highly divided, forming intricate patterns.
Anatomical Features and Adaptations of Pteridaceae Plants
Pteridaceae plants have evolved various adaptations to cope with their environment. Their fronds are covered with small, scale-like structures that help to reduce water loss and protect the leaves from herbivory. Pteridaceae plants also have specialized water-absorbing structures called "gametophytes," which are located on the undersides of their fronds. These structures help to absorb and retain moisture, making Pteridaceae plants more drought-resistant than other types of ferns. Additionally, some Pteridaceae plants are able to accumulate and store heavy metals in their tissues to protect themselves from toxic levels of metal ions in the soil.
Leaf Shapes and Other Distinctive Characteristics
The fronds of Pteridaceae plants come in many shapes, ranging from simple, undivided leaves to highly dissected and complex structures. For example, the genus Adiantum, commonly known as the "maidenhair fern," has delicate, fan-shaped fronds with a highly branched venation pattern. By contrast, the genus Pteris has long, sword-shaped fronds that are divided into many pinnae (leaflets) with serrated edges. Another characteristic feature of Pteridaceae plants is their sporangia, which are located on small, modified leaves called sporophylls that are clustered together to form a structure called a "sorus." The location and arrangement of the sorus on the frond can be used to identify different species of Pteridaceae plants.
Reproductive Strategies in Pteridaceae Family
Plants in the Pteridaceae family, like ferns, reproduce via spores. Spores are single cells that are capable of developing into a new plant. These spores are produced in structures called sporangia, which are found on the undersides of fronds.
Mechanisms of Reproduction within the Family
Pteridaceae plants are homosporous, which means they produce spores that are all the same size and have the potential to develop into either male or female gametophytes. The gametophyte is the reproductive stage of the plant's life cycle and is where sexual reproduction occurs.
Once the spores have developed, they are released into the environment and can travel via wind or water. The spores then germinate and grow into gametophytes. These gametophytes produce sperm and eggs, which will eventually fuse and develop into a new sporophyte plant.
Flowering Patterns and Pollination Strategies
Plants in the Pteridaceae family do not produce flowers. Instead, they reproduce via spores as previously mentioned. There is no pollination involved in these types of plants as they do not produce seeds or utilize reproductive structures such as flowers or fruits.
Seed Dispersal Methods and Adaptations
Since Pteridaceae plants produce spores and not seeds, their methods of dispersal are different. The spores are lightweight and can be carried by wind or water to new locations. Plants in this family have adaptations that aid in spore dispersal, such as fronds that are shaped to catch the wind and aid in the spores' transportation. Additionally, spores can remain viable for many years, making it possible for them to travel long distances before germinating and growing into a new plant.
Economic Importance of the Pteridaceae Family
The Pteridaceae family includes several species of plants that are of significant economic importance in different fields. For instance, some species are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Examples include Cheilanthes farinosa, commonly used to treat respiratory problems, and Notholaena grayi, which is used to treat skin disorders.
In addition to their medicinal value, some species in the Pteridaceae family have culinary uses. For example, the young shoots of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) are a traditional food in Japan and Korea. The starchy rhizomes of this plant are also used to make flour.
The Pteridaceae family also has industrial uses. One such use is in the production of ornamental plants. Some members of the family, such as Ceratopteris thalictroides and Nephrolepis exaltata, are popular in the horticulture industry for their attractive fronds and easy cultivation.
Ecological Importance of the Pteridaceae Family
The Pteridaceae family plays an important ecological role in many ecosystems. Ferns in this family can be found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, rainforests, and temperate forests. They are important components of many plant communities, and their fronds provide cover and habitat for a variety of animals.
Members of the Pteridaceae family can also help to prevent soil erosion. Their shallow roots are effective at stabilizing soil, which is especially important in areas with steep slopes or disturbed soils.
Conservation Status and Efforts for Conservation
Many species within the Pteridaceae family are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other factors. For example, Notholaena grayi and Myriopteris gracilis are both listed as endangered in the United States due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Efforts are underway to conserve species within the Pteridaceae family. Many botanic gardens and other institutions maintain living collections of ferns, including endangered species. Conservationists also work to protect and restore habitats, such as by removing invasive species or restoring degraded areas.
Featured plants from the Pteridaceae family
More plants from the Pteridaceae family
- Acrostichum aureum L. - Golden Leatherfern
- Acrostichum danaeifolium Langsd. & Fisch. - Inland Leatherfern
- Acrostichum excelsum Maxon - >>acrostichum Danaeifolium
- Adiantopsis paupercula (Kunze) Fée - >>cheilanthes Paupercula
- Adiantum anceps Maxon & Morton - Double Edge Maidenhair
- Adiantum capillus-veneris L. - Common Maidenhair
- Adiantum capillus-veneris L. var. modestum (Underwood) Fern. - >>adiantum Capillus-veneris
- Adiantum capillus-veneris L. var. protrusum Fern. - >>adiantum Capillus-veneris
- Adiantum caudatum L. - Tailed Maidenhair
- Adiantum concinnum Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. - Polished Maidenhair
- Adiantum cristatum L. - >>adiantum Pyramidale
- Adiantum cuneatum Langsd. & Fisch. - >>adiantum Raddianum
- Adiantum fragile Sw. - Fragile Maidenhair
- Adiantum fragile Sw. var. fragile - Fragile Maidenhair
- Adiantum fragile Sw. var. rigidulum (Mett. ex Kuhn) Proctor - Fragile Maidenhair
- Adiantum hexagona auct. p.p. non L. - >>anopteris Hexagona Ssp. Intermedia
- Adiantum jordanii C. Muell. - California Maidenhair
- Adiantum latifolium Lam. - Broadleaf Maidenhair
- Adiantum macrophyllum Sw. - Largeleaf Maidenhair
- Adiantum melanoleucum Willd. - Fragrant Maidenhair
- Adiantum modestum Underwood - >>adiantum Capillus-veneris
- Adiantum obliquum Willd. - Oblique Maidenhair
- Adiantum pedatum L. ssp. aleuticum (Rupr.) Calder & Taylor - >>adiantum Aleuticum
- Adiantum pedatum L. ssp. calderi Cody - >>adiantum Aleuticum
- Adiantum pedatum L. ssp. subpumilum (W.H. Wagner) Lellinger - >>adiantum Aleuticum
- Adiantum pedatum L. var. aleuticum Rupr. - >>adiantum Aleuticum
- Adiantum pedatum L. var. subpumilum W.H. Wagner - >>adiantum Aleuticum
- Adiantum petiolatum Desv. - Stalked Maidenhair
- Adiantum pulverulentum L. - Glossy Maidenhair
- Adiantum pyramidale (L.) Willd. - Pyramid Maidenhair
- Adiantum rigidulum Mett. ex Kuhn - >>adiantum Fragile Var. Rigidulum
- Adiantum tenerum Sw. - Fan Maidenhair
- Adiantum tetraphyllum Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. - Fourleaf Maidenhair
- Adiantum trapeziforme L. - Diamond Maidenhair
- Adiantum tricholepis Fée - Fuzzy Maidenhair
- Adiantum villosum L. - Woolly Maidenhair
- Adiantum vivesii Proctor - Puerto Rico Maidenhair
- Adiantum wilsonii Hook. - Wilson's Maidenhair
- Adiantum ×tracyi C.C. Hall ex W.H. Wagner
- Aleuritopteris cretacea (Liebm.) Fourn. ssp. nigrescens (Ewan) Munz - >>notholaena Californica Ssp. Californica
- Aleuritopteris cretacea auct. non (Liebm.) Fourn. - >>notholaena Californica Ssp. Californica
- Anopteris hexagona (L.) C. Christens. - Moore's Brake
- Anopteris hexagona (L.) C. Christens. ssp. intermedia Morton - Moore's Brake
- Anopteris Prantl ex Diels - Anopteris
- Argyrochosma (Sm.) Windham - False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma dealbata (Pursh) Windham - Powdery False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma fendleri (Kunze) Windham - Fendler's False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma incana (K. Presl) Windham - Hairy False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma jonesii (Maxon) Windham - Jones' False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma limitanea (Maxon) Windham - Southwestern False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma limitanea (Maxon) Windham ssp. limitanea - Southwestern False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma limitanea (Maxon) Windham ssp. mexicana (Maxon) Windham - Southwestern False Cloak Fern
- Argyrochosma microphylla (Mett. ex Kuhn) Windham - Small-leaf False Cloak Fern
- Aspidotis (Nutt. ex Hook.) Copeland - Lacefern
- Aspidotis californica (Hook.) Nutt. ex Copeland - California Lacefern
- Aspidotis carlotta-halliae (Wagner & Gilbert) Lellinger - Tufted Lacefern
- Aspidotis densa (Brack.) Lellinger - Indian's Dream
- Astrolepis Benham & Windham - Cloakfern
- Astrolepis cochisensis (Goodding) Benham & Windham - Cochise Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis cochisensis (Goodding) Benham & Windham ssp. arizonica Benham - Arizona Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis cochisensis (Goodding) Benham & Windham ssp. chihuahuaensis Benham - Chihuahua Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis cochisensis (Goodding) Benham & Windham ssp. cochisensis - Cochise Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis integerrima (Hook.) Benham & Windham - Hybrid Cloakfern
- Astrolepis sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Benham & Windham - Wavy Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Benham & Windham ssp. mexicana Benham - Mexican Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Benham & Windham ssp. sinuata - Wavy Scaly Cloakfern
- Astrolepis windhamii Benham - Windham's Scaly Cloakfern
- Bommeria Fourn. - Bommeria Fern
- Bommeria hispida (Mett. ex Kuhn) Underwood - Copper Fern
- Cheilanthes aemula Maxon - Rival Lipfern
- Cheilanthes alabamensis (Buckl.) Kunze - Alabama Lipfern
- Cheilanthes aliena (Maxon) Mickel - >>notholaena Aliena
- Cheilanthes arizonica (Maxon) Mickel - Arizona Lipfern
- Cheilanthes aschenborniana (Klotzsch) Mett. - >>notholaena Aschenborniana
- Cheilanthes bonariensis (Willd.) Proctor - Golden Lipfern
- Cheilanthes californica (Hook.) Mett. - >>aspidotis Californica
- Cheilanthes cancellata Mickel - >>argyrochosma Fendleri
- Cheilanthes candida Mart. & Gal. var. copelandii (C.C. Hall) Mickel - >>notholaena Copelandii
- Cheilanthes carlotta-halliae Wagner & Gilbert - >>aspidotis Carlotta-halliae
- Cheilanthes castanea Maxon - >>cheilanthes Eatonii
- Cheilanthes clevelandii D.C. Eat. - Cleveland's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes cochisensis (Goodding) Mickel - >>astrolepis Cochisensis Ssp. Cochisensis
- Cheilanthes cooperae D.C. Eat. - Cooper's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes covillei Maxon - Coville's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes dealbata Pursh - >>argyrochosma Dealbata
- Cheilanthes decipiens (Hook.) W.H. Wagner - Triangleleaf Lipfern
- Cheilanthes decora (Brack.) R.& A. Tryon - Lance Fern
- Cheilanthes deserti Mickel - >>notholaena Californica Ssp. Californica
- Cheilanthes eatonii Baker - Eaton's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes feei T. Moore - Slender Lipfern
- Cheilanthes fendleri Hook. - Fendler's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes gracillima D.C. Eat. - Lace Lipfern
- Cheilanthes gracillima D.C. Eat. var. aberrans M.E. Jones - >>cheilanthes Gracillima
- Cheilanthes grayi (Davenport) Domin - >>notholaena Grayi Ssp. Grayi
- Cheilanthes greggii (Mett. ex Kuhn) Mickel - >>notholaena Greggii
- Cheilanthes hookeri (Kummel.) Domin - >>notholaena Standleyi
- Cheilanthes horridula Maxon - Rough Lipfern
- Cheilanthes integerrima (Hook.) Mickel - >>astrolepis Integerrima
- Cheilanthes intertexta (Maxon) Maxon - Coastal Lipfern
- Cheilanthes jonesii (Maxon) Munz - >>argyrochosma Jonesii
- Cheilanthes kaulfussii Kunze - Kaulfuss' Lipfern
- Cheilanthes lanosa (Michx.) D.C. Eat. - Hairy Lipfern
- Cheilanthes lemmonii (D.C. Eat.) Domin - >>notholaena Lemmonii
- Cheilanthes lendigera (Cav.) Sw. - Nitbearing Lipfern
- Cheilanthes leucopoda Link - Whitefoot Lipfern
- Cheilanthes limitanea (Maxon) Mickel - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Limitanea
- Cheilanthes limitanea (Maxon) Mickel var. mexicana (Maxon) Mickel - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Mexicana
- Cheilanthes lindheimeri Hook. - Fairyswords
- Cheilanthes microphylla (Sw.) Sw. - Southern Lipfern
- Cheilanthes nealleyi (Seaton ex Coult.) Domin - >>notholaena Nealleyi
- Cheilanthes neglecta (Maxon) Mickel - >>notholaena Neglecta
- Cheilanthes newberryi (D.C. Eat.) Domin - Newberry's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes notholaenoides (Desv.) Maxon ex Weatherby - Royal Lipfern
- Cheilanthes parryi (D.C. Eat.) Domin - Parry's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes parvifolia (R. Tryon) Mickel - >>argyrochosma Microphylla
- Cheilanthes paupercula (Kunze) Mett. - Streambank Lipfern
- Cheilanthes pringlei Davenport - Pringle's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes pteridioides - Ressurection Fern
- Cheilanthes pyramidalis Fée var. arizonica (Maxon) Broun - >>cheilanthes Arizonica
- Cheilanthes siliquosa Maxon - >>aspidotis Densa
- Cheilanthes sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Domin - >>astrolepis Sinuata Ssp. Sinuata
- Cheilanthes sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Domin var. cochisensis (Goodding) Munz - >>astrolepis Cochisensis Ssp. Cochisensis
- Cheilanthes standleyi (Maxon) Mickel - >>notholaena Standleyi
- Cheilanthes Sw. - Lipfern
- Cheilanthes takeuchii W.H. Wagner - Takeuch's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes tomentosa Link - Woolly Lipfern
- Cheilanthes trichomanoides (L.) Mett. - >>notholaena Trichomanoides
- Cheilanthes vestita (Spreng.) Sw. - >>cheilanthes Lanosa
- Cheilanthes villosa Davenport ex Maxon - Villous Lipfern
- Cheilanthes viscida Davenport - Viscid Lipfern
- Cheilanthes wootonii Maxon - Beaded Lipfern
- Cheilanthes wrightii Hook. - Wright's Lipfern
- Cheilanthes yavapensis Reeves ex Windham - Graceful Lipfern
- Cheilanthes ×fibrillosa (Davenport) Davenport ex Underwood (pro sp.)
- Cheilanthes ×parishii Davenport (pro sp.)
- Coniogramme Fée - Coniogramme
- Coniogramme pilosa (Brack.) Hieron. - Loulu
- Cryptogramma acrostichoides R. Br. - American Rockbrake
- Cryptogramma cascadensis E.R. Alverson - Cascade Rockbrake
- Cryptogramma crispa (L.) R. Br. ex Hook. ssp. acrostichoides (R. Br.) Hultén - >>cryptogramma Acrostichoides
- Cryptogramma crispa (L.) R. Br. ex Hook. var. sitchensis (Rupr.) C. Christens. - >>cryptogramma Sitchensis
- Cryptogramma densa (Brack.) Diels - >>aspidotis Densa
- Cryptogramma R. Br. - Rockbrake
- Cryptogramma sitchensis (Rupr.) T. Moore - Sitka Rockbrake
- Cryptogramma stelleri (Gmel.) Prantl - Fragile Rockbrake
- Doryopteris decipiens (Hook.) J. Sm. - >>cheilanthes Decipiens
- Doryopteris decora Brack. - >>cheilanthes Decora
- Doryopteris decora Brack. var. decipiens (Hook.) R. Tryon - >>cheilanthes Decipiens
- Doryopteris J. Sm. - Doryopteris
- Doryopteris pedata (L.) Fée - Digit Fern
- Eriosorus Fée - Eriosorus
- Eriosorus hispidulus (Kunze) Vareschi - Chestnuthair Fern
- Gymnopteris hispida (Mett. ex Kuhn) Underwood - >>bommeria Hispida
- Hemionitis L. - Hemionitis
- Hemionitis palmata L. - Starfern
- Notholaena aliena Maxon - Foreign Cloak Fern
- Notholaena aschenborniana Klotzsch - Scaled Cloak Fern
- Notholaena aurea (Poir.) Desv. - >>cheilanthes Bonariensis
- Notholaena californica D.C. Eat. - California Cloak Fern
- Notholaena californica D.C. Eat. ssp. californica - California Cloak Fern
- Notholaena californica D.C. Eat. ssp. leucophylla Windham - California Cloak Fern
- Notholaena californica D.C. Eat. ssp. nigrescens Ewan - >>notholaena Californica Ssp. Californica
- Notholaena candida (Mart. & Gal.) Hook. var. accessita Jepson - >>notholaena Californica Ssp. Californica
- Notholaena candida (Mart. & Gal.) Hook. var. copelandii (C.C. Hall) R. Tryon - >>notholaena Copelandii
- Notholaena cochisensis Goodding - >>astrolepis Cochisensis Ssp. Cochisensis
- Notholaena copelandii C.C. Hall - Copeland's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena dealbata (Pursh) Kunze - >>argyrochosma Dealbata
- Notholaena fendleri Kunze - >>argyrochosma Fendleri
- Notholaena grayi Davenport - Gray's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena grayi Davenport ssp. grayi - Gray's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena grayi Davenport ssp. sonorensis Windham - Sonoran Cloak Fern
- Notholaena greggii (Mett. ex Kuhn) Maxon - Gregg's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena incana K. Presl - >>argyrochosma Incana
- Notholaena integerrima (Hook.) Hevly - >>astrolepis Integerrima
- Notholaena jonesii Maxon - >>argyrochosma Jonesii
- Notholaena lemmonii D.C. Eat. - Lemmon's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena limitanea Maxon - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Limitanea
- Notholaena limitanea Maxon ssp. mexicana Maxon - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Mexicana
- Notholaena limitanea Maxon var. mexicana (Maxon) Broun - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Mexicana
- Notholaena nealleyi Seaton ex Coult. - Nealley's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena neglecta Maxon - Maxon's Cloak Fern
- Notholaena newberryi D.C. Eat. - >>cheilanthes Newberryi
- Notholaena parryi D.C. Eat. - >>cheilanthes Parryi
- Notholaena parvifolia R. Tryon - >>argyrochosma Microphylla
- Notholaena R. Br. - Cloak Fern
- Notholaena schaffneri (Fourn.) Underwood ex Davenport var. nealleyi (Seaton ex Coult.) Weatherby - >>notholaena Nealleyi
- Notholaena sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Kaulfuss - >>astrolepis Sinuata Ssp. Sinuata
- Notholaena sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Kaulfuss var. cochisensis (Goodding) Weatherby - >>astrolepis Cochisensis Ssp. Cochisensis
- Notholaena sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Kaulfuss var. integerrima Hook. - >>astrolepis Integerrima
- Notholaena standleyi Maxon - Star Cloak Fern
- Notholaena trichomanoides (L.) Desv. - Rockslope Cloak Fern
- Onychium densum Brack. - >>aspidotis Densa
- Onychium strictum auct. non Kunze - >>anopteris Hexagona Ssp. Intermedia
- Pellaea alabamensis (Buckl.) Baker ex Hook. - >>cheilanthes Alabamensis
- Pellaea andromedifolia (Kaulfuss) Fée - Coffee Cliffbrake
- Pellaea andromedifolia (Kaulfuss) Fée var. pubescens Baker - >>pellaea Andromedifolia
- Pellaea andromedifolia (Kaulfuss) Fée var. rubens D.C. Eat. - >>pellaea Andromedifolia
- Pellaea atropurpurea (L.) Link - Purple Cliffbrake
- Pellaea atropurpurea (L.) Link var. bushii Mackenzie - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Glabella
- Pellaea atropurpurea (L.) Link var. simplex (Butters) Morton - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Simplex
- Pellaea brachyptera (T. Moore) Baker - Sierra Cliffbrake
- Pellaea breweri D.C. Eat. - Brewer's Cliffbrake
- Pellaea bridgesii Hook. - Bridges' Cliffbrake
- Pellaea cardiomorpha Weatherby - >>pellaea Cordifolia
- Pellaea compacta (Davenport) Maxon - >>pellaea Mucronata Ssp. Californica
- Pellaea cordata (Cav.) Sm. - >>pellaea Cordifolia
- Pellaea cordifolia (Sessé & Moc.) A.R. Sm. - Heartleaf Cliffbrake
- Pellaea dealbata (Pursh) Prantl - >>argyrochosma Dealbata
- Pellaea densa (Brack.) Hook. - >>aspidotis Densa
- Pellaea fendleri (Kunze) Prantl - >>argyrochosma Fendleri
- Pellaea gastonyi Windham - Gastony's Cliffbrake
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn - Smooth Cliffbrake
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn ssp. glabella - Smooth Cliffbrake
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn ssp. missouriensis (Gastony) Windham - Missouri Cliffbrake
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn ssp. occidentalis (E. Nels.) Windham - Western Dwarf Cliffbrake
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn ssp. simplex (Butters) A.& D. Löve - Smooth Cliffbrake
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn var. missouriensis Gastony - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Missouriensis
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn var. nana (L.C. Rich.) Cody - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Occidentalis
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn var. occidentalis (E. Nels.) Butters - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Occidentalis
- Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn var. simplex Butters - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Simplex
- Pellaea intermedia Mett. ex Kuhn - Intermediate Cliffbrake
- Pellaea jonesii (Maxon) Morton - >>argyrochosma Jonesii
- Pellaea limitanea (Maxon) Morton - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Limitanea
- Pellaea limitanea (Maxon) Morton var. mexicana (Maxon) Morton - >>argyrochosma Limitanea Ssp. Mexicana
- Pellaea Link - Cliffbrake
- Pellaea longimucronata auct. non Hook. - >>pellaea Truncata
- Pellaea longimucronata Hook. - >>pellaea Mucronata Ssp. Mucronata
- Pellaea lyngholmii Windham - Lyngholm's Cliffbrake
- Pellaea microphylla Mett. ex Kuhn - >>argyrochosma Microphylla
- Pellaea mucronata (D.C. Eat.) D.C. Eat. - Birdfoot Cliffbrake
- Pellaea mucronata (D.C. Eat.) D.C. Eat. ssp. californica (Lemmon) Windham - California Cliffbrake
- Pellaea mucronata (D.C. Eat.) D.C. Eat. ssp. mucronata - Birdfoot Cliffbrake
- Pellaea mucronata (D.C. Eat.) D.C. Eat. var. californica (Lemmon) Munz & Johnston - >>pellaea Mucronata Ssp. Californica
- Pellaea occidentalis (E. Nels.) Rydb. - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Occidentalis
- Pellaea occidentalis (E. Nels.) Rydb. ssp. simplex (Butters) Gastony - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Simplex
- Pellaea ovata (Desv.) Weatherby - Ovateleaf Cliffbrake
- Pellaea sagittata (Cav.) Link var. cordata (Cav.) A. Tryon - >>pellaea Cordifolia
- Pellaea suksdorfiana Butters - >>pellaea Glabella Ssp. Simplex
- Pellaea ternifolia (Cav.) Link - Transpecos Cliffbrake
- Pellaea ternifolia (Cav.) Link ssp. arizonica Windham - Arizonia Cliffbrake
- Pellaea ternifolia (Cav.) Link ssp. ternifolia - Transpecos Cliffbrake
- Pellaea ternifolia (Cav.) Link ssp. villosa Windham - Transpecos Cliffbrake
- Pellaea ternifolia (Cav.) Link var. wrightiana (Hook.) A. Tryon - >>pellaea Wrightiana
- Pellaea truncata Goodding - Spiny Cliffbrake
- Pellaea viridis (Forsk.) Prantl - Green Cliffbrake
- Pellaea wrightiana Hook. - Wright's Cliffbrake
- Pellaea ×glaciogena W.H. Wagner, Pray & A.R. Smith
- Pentagramma pallida (Weatherby) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber - Pale Silverback Fern
- Pentagramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber - Goldback Fern
- Pentagramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber ssp. maxonii (Weatherby) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber - Maxon's Goldback Fern
- Pentagramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber ssp. semipallida (J.T. Howell) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber - Goldback Fern
- Pentagramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber ssp. triangularis - Goldback Fern
- Pentagramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber ssp. viscosa (D.C. Eat.) Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber - Silverback Fern
- Pentagramma Yatskievych, Windham & Wollenweber - Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma austroamericana Domin - Leatherleaf Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link - Dixie Silverback Fern
- Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link var. aureoflava (Hook.) Weatherby ex Bailey - >>pityrogramma Austroamericana
- Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link var. austroamericana (Domin) Farw. - >>pityrogramma Austroamericana
- Pityrogramma chrysophylla (Sw.) Link - Island Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma chrysophylla (Sw.) Link var. gabrielae Domin - Island Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma chrysophylla (Sw.) Link var. subflexuosa (Domin) Proctor - Island Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma ebenea (L.) Proctor - Mountain Silverback Fern
- Pityrogramma Link - Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma pallida (Weatherby) Alt & V. Grant - >>pentagramma Pallida
- Pityrogramma semipallida J.T. Howell - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Semipallida
- Pityrogramma subflexuosa Domin - >>pityrogramma Chrysophylla Var. Subflexuosa
- Pityrogramma sulphurea (Sw.) Maxon - Jamaican Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma tartarea auct. non (Cav.) Maxon - >>pityrogramma Ebenea
- Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Maxon - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Triangularis
- Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Maxon var. maxonii Weatherby - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Maxonii
- Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Maxon var. pallida Weatherby - >>pentagramma Pallida
- Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Maxon var. semipallida J.T. Howell - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Semipallida
- Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Maxon var. viridis Hoover - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Semipallida
- Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulfuss) Maxon var. viscosa (D.C. Eat.) Weatherby - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Viscosa
- Pityrogramma trifoliata (L.) R. Tryon - Threeleaf Goldback Fern
- Pityrogramma viscosa (D.C. Eat.) Maxon - >>pentagramma Triangularis Ssp. Viscosa
- Pityrogramma ×mackenneyi W.H. Wagner
- Psilogramme hispidulus (Kunze) Kuhn - >>eriosorus Hispidulus
- Psilogramme portoricensis Maxon - >>eriosorus Hispidulus
- Pteris altissima Poir. - Tall Brake
- Pteris arborea L. - Tree Brake
- Pteris bahamensis (J.G. Agardh) Fée - Bahama Brake
- Pteris biaurita L. - Thinleaf Brake
- Pteris crassipes J.G. Agardh - >>pteris Arborea
- Pteris cretica L. - Cretan Brake
- Pteris cretica L. var. cretica - Cretan Brake
- Pteris deflexa Link - Thickleaf Brake
- Pteris denticulata Sw. - Toothed Brake
- Pteris ensiformis Burm. f. - Slender Brake
- Pteris ensiformis Burm. f. var. victoriae Baker - >>pteris Ensiformis
- Pteris excelsa Gaud. - Waimakanui
- Pteris grandifolia L. - Elephantleaf Brake
- Pteris irregularis Kaulfuss - Zigzag Brake
- Pteris L. - Brake Fern
- Pteris longifolia L. - Longleaf Brake
- Pteris longifolia L. var. bahamensis (J.G. Agardh) Hieron. - >>pteris Bahamensis
- Pteris lydgatei (Baker) Christ - Lidgate's Brake
- Pteris multifida Poir. - Spider Brake
- Pteris mutilata L. - Asian Brake
- Pteris plumula Desv. - Striped Brake
- Pteris pungens Willd. - Sharp Brake
- Pteris quadriaurita auct. non Retz. - >>pteris Plumula
- Pteris serrulata auct. non L. f. - >>pteris Multifida
- Pteris tremula R.Br. - Australian Brake
- Pteris tripartita Sw. - Giant Brake
- Pteris vittata L. - Ladder Brake
- Pteris ×delchampsii W.H. Wagner & C.E. Nauman
- Pteris ×hillebrandii Copeland
- Schizostege lydgatei (Baker) Hbd. - >>pteris Lydgatei
- Trismeria trifoliata (L.) Diels - >>pityrogramma Trifoliata