Dicranopteris Bernh.

Indumentum on rhizome, dormant apices, and on other parts of fronds consisting of multiseptate hairs which have outgrowths from cells near the base and sometimes also from other cells. Apex of main rachis of fronds resting periodically while each pair of lateral branch-systems develops; primary rachis-branches repeatedly branched pseudo-dichotomously (forked), the apex between each pair of branches usually permanently dormant, the members of a pair equal or unequal; a short stipule-like lobed leaflet usually present at the base of each primary rachis-branch, these leaflets growing upwards and protecting the temporarily dormant apex of the main rachis (smaller stipule-like leaflets sometimes also present at forks of the lateral branch-systems); a pair of accessory branches, bearing a lamina like that of the ultimate branches, present at some of the forks of the lateral branch-systems, on the outside of the fork (usually attached just above it) and deflexed; apart from stipular leaflets and accessory branches, only the ultimate branches leafy. Ultimate branches bearing throughout a deeply pinnatifid lamina, the segments of the lamina usually entire, each with costule bearing lateral veins which are forked at least twice; sori one to each vein-group on an acroscopic branch (rarely also on a basiscopic branch), each of 8-15 or more sporangia without paraphyses, the sporangia smaller than in Gleichenia; spores monolete or trilete.