Pteris

• Authority

  Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

• Family

  Pteridaceae

• Scientific Name

  Pteris

• Description

  Genus Description - Plants terrestrial, small to very large. Rhizomes creeping or erect, often thick and lignified, covered with scales at apex. Fronds clustered, erect or arched, generally monomorphic, pinnate, bipinnate-pinnatifid, or to 4-pinnate; petioles often long, generally not articulate, ± grooved on adaxial surface; blade elongate to triangular or pentagonal, the basal pinnae more strongly developed than remaining pinnae; midrib with parallel grooves on adaxial surface, often armed with small prickles; veins free or reticulate, the areoles without included free veinlets. Sori linear, with numerous paraphyses, located along margin of vein connecting all veinlets, sometimes on both margins of pinnules; indusia present and evident.