Taxon Details: Gleicheniaceae
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Narratives:
Family:
Gleicheniaceae (Pteridophyta)
Gleicheniaceae (Pteridophyta)
Scientific Name:
Gleicheniaceae
Gleicheniaceae
Accepted Name:
This name is currently accepted.
This name is currently accepted.
Description:
Number of genera: 5
Number of species: 150
Description (from PLANTAE): Terrestrial. Stems long, creeping, dichotomously-branched, with scales and/or multicellular hairs. Leaves at least once pinnate, ± coriaceous; petiole non-articulate, terete or adaxially flattened, in cross section with single circular vascular bundle; veins free. Sori abaxial, circular; sporangia pyriform, subsessile; annulus complete, extending obliquely around the back and over the top of the sporangium, dehiscence by a vertical slit along ventral side; indusium absent. Homosporous; spores smooth or finely granular. Gametophytes green, flat, costate, the margin ruffled; monoecious
Taxonomic notes (from PLANTAE): The family is very old, dating back to the early Mesozoic (ca. 280 mya). Two subfamilies are recognized.
Distribution (from PLANTAE): Three of the five genera are pantropic. In the New World, Sticherus is the most diverse. Most members of the family are heliophiles.
Economic uses (from PLANTAE): Pioneer invaders of disturbed sites, especially in mountainous areas with acidic soils and medium to high rainfall. The long, forking stems enable these plants to climb over competing vegetation, sometimes becoming dominant.
Number of genera: 5
Number of species: 150
Description (from PLANTAE): Terrestrial. Stems long, creeping, dichotomously-branched, with scales and/or multicellular hairs. Leaves at least once pinnate, ± coriaceous; petiole non-articulate, terete or adaxially flattened, in cross section with single circular vascular bundle; veins free. Sori abaxial, circular; sporangia pyriform, subsessile; annulus complete, extending obliquely around the back and over the top of the sporangium, dehiscence by a vertical slit along ventral side; indusium absent. Homosporous; spores smooth or finely granular. Gametophytes green, flat, costate, the margin ruffled; monoecious
Taxonomic notes (from PLANTAE): The family is very old, dating back to the early Mesozoic (ca. 280 mya). Two subfamilies are recognized.
Distribution (from PLANTAE): Three of the five genera are pantropic. In the New World, Sticherus is the most diverse. Most members of the family are heliophiles.
Economic uses (from PLANTAE): Pioneer invaders of disturbed sites, especially in mountainous areas with acidic soils and medium to high rainfall. The long, forking stems enable these plants to climb over competing vegetation, sometimes becoming dominant.