Woodsiaceae
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Lady fern family
Woodsiaceae
メシダ科
A family including the genus Athyrium (lady ferns) and others. One of the most commonly encountered fern families in Japan, with many species such as Athyrium niponicum and A. yokoscense growing on forest floors and along stream valleys. Sori are typically covered by J-shaped to horseshoe-shaped indusia.
Key Characteristics
- ●Sori covered by indusia of diverse shapes: J-shaped, horseshoe-shaped, or linear
- ●Fronds 1- to 3-pinnate
- ●Rhizomes creeping or erect
- ●Homosporous
Phylogenetic Position
Vascular plants > Polypodiophyta > Polypodiopsida > Polypodiales > Woodsiaceae
Divergence Era
Cretaceous (ca. 100 million years ago–)
Representative Genera
メシダ属（Athyrium）ミヤマシケシダ属（Deparia）ウッドシア属（Woodsia）
Related Evolution Events
- ・Parallel evolution of diverse indusium morphologies (J-shaped, horseshoe-shaped, reniform)
- ・Advanced adaptation to temperate montane forest floors
Plants in Lady fern family on this site
AI-generated, needs verification