Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta (Filicophyta)
Class: Pteridopsida (Filicopsida)
Subclass: Polypoditae
Order: Dryopteridales
The family Dryopteridaceae is essentially a narrow conscription of the old family Aspidiceae. It includes primarily ferns that have a heavy, crowned or slowly-creeping rootstock, fronds with firm leaf tissue, and circular sori covered by a peltate indusium. Many are highly desirable garden plants. The fern Dryopteris filix-mas was at one time commonly used as a vermifuge.
Genera of the Dryopteridaceae: (list not yet complete)
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This page was last revised on 11-21-1997.