pronounced: pol-lee-pod-ee-AY-see-eye
Polypodiaceae is derived from the Greek πολυς (polys), much, many, great, and πους, ποδος (pous, podos) a foot. These are mostly epiphytic ferns, though sometimes terrestrial or rupestral, with a rhizome that is generally creeping, though sometimes scandent. The fronds are mostly long-stipitate, mostly articulate to the rhizome, the vascular bundles are several to numerous in a simple ring, the lamina simple, pinnatifid or pinnate (rarely digitally lobed). The sori are without indusia, small, and scattered over the lamina, generally superficial, or large circular or oval in one to several rows either side of the costae.
