Family: Dryopteridaceae — wood fern family
Species in the Dryopteridaceae are perennial ferns that grow on soil or on rock in our region. The leaves may be once or more divided, and may be lobed as well. The petioles (leaf stalks) have scales and 3-7 vascular bundles near the base. The circular to kidney-shaped sori grow on the underside of the leaves and are covered by an indusium. The wood ferns were formerly considered to belong to the Polypodiaceae.
This family’s genera in New England
Visit this family in the Dichotomous Key