Sori round to oblong; sporangia pedicelled; spores without epispore, with or without paraphyses. Rhizome paleate; fronds simple to pinnatifid, not articulate to rhizome; veins free, once or more forked, only occ. anastomosing. Over 300 spp. (if Ctenopteris be included) of wide distribution.
Sori round or obliquely elliptical, separate