Perennial terrestrial and xeromorphic ferns, a few in damp niches or river banks, diverse in habit. Rhizome solenostelic, erect or creeping, hairy or scaly. Leaves generally uniform, often with shining petiole and rhachis; blade rarely entire, generally l-4-pinnate or pedate, the ultimate pinnules mostly trapeziform or cuneate-flabellate; veins very often free. Sori close to the leaf margin; sporangia borne along and sometimes also between the ends of the veins on the underside of a reflexed continuous or lobed margin (pseudo-indusium) which conceals the sori. Spores tetrahedral or globular.