Leaves called fronds have their origin from a rhizome which sometimes is very short and condensed, or may be much branched and quite long. This family is distinguished by the spores being borne on the underside of the leaf. Spores are contained within organs called sporangia, usually clustered in groups called sort. These sort often occur as dots or darkened lines and may or may not be covered by an indusium or cover which is variously in the shape of an umbrella, a flap of tissue, or a rolled leaf margin.

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