Thelypteris

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Thelypteris

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Blechnales
Family: Thelypteridaceae
Genus: Thelypteris
Species

as many as 900; see text

Thelypteris is a genus of ferns in the family Thelypteridaceae. If the genus is defined fairly broadly, it contains 875[1] species, many of which are extremely similar to one another, and is found nearly worldwide[1]. The ferns are terrestrial, with the exception of a few which are lithophytes (grow on rocks).[2] The bulk of the species are tropical, although there are a number of temperate species.[2]

[edit] Classification

At one time,[specify] all thelypterioid ferns were included in the genus Dryopteris because of the sorus shape. However, there are a great many differences between the groups, and these plants are now segregated in their own family.

Some researchers include the entire family Thelypteridaceae in the genus Thelypteris; others divide the family into as many as 30 genera. An intermediate position is to place the bulk in Thelypteris (which can then be divided into subgenera and sections corresponding to the genera of other authors) but to separate out Phegopteris and Macrothelypteris.[1] Another choice is to divide the family into a half a dozen or so genera, one of which is Thelypteris.[2]

[edit] Species

The genus includes the following species (incomplete list):

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Thelypteris. Flora of North America.
  2. ^ a b c A. R. Smith, K. M. Pryer, E. Schuettpelz, P. Korall, H. Schneider, P. G. Wolf. 2006. "A classification for extant ferns". Taxon 55(3), 705-731 (pdf here)
  3. ^ Thelypteris noveboracensis. Flora of North America.
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