Cystopteridaceae

Description

Cystopteridaceae is a family of ferns that contains around 15 genera and 250 species. These ferns are characterized by their delicate fronds, which are usually pinnate or bipinnate and have finely divided leaflets. The fronds grow from a short rhizome, and the sori (clusters of spore-producing structures) are usually located on the underside of the leaflets. The Cystopteridaceae family is found worldwide, but most of the species are distributed in temperate regions.

Taxonomic Information

Here is the taxonomic information for the Cystopteridaceae fern family:

Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Polypodiopsida
Order	Polypodiales
Family	Cystopteridaceae
Genus	Adenocystis, Cystoathyrium, Cystopteris, Gymnocarpium, Macroneuron, Onoclea, Pelletiera, Pleurosoriopsis, Pteridella, Sphaerocionium

Appearance

Cystopteridaceae ferns have delicate fronds that range in size from a few inches to several feet. The fronds are usually pinnate or bipinnate and have finely divided leaflets. The leaflets are usually lance-shaped, but some species have more rounded leaflets. The fronds grow from a short rhizome, and the sori (clusters of spore-producing structures) are usually located on the underside of the leaflets.

Care Guide

If you want to grow Cystopteridaceae ferns, here are some tips to help you take care of them:

Water

Cystopteridaceae ferns prefer consistently moist soil, but they don’t like to be waterlogged. Water your ferns regularly, but make sure the soil has good drainage.

Fertilization

These ferns don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but you can give them a boost with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.

Soil

Cystopteridaceae ferns prefer rich, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. You can amend your soil with compost or peat moss if necessary.

Sunlight

These ferns prefer partial to full shade. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the delicate fronds.

Hardiness Zones

Cystopteridaceae ferns are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, depending on the species.

Common Pests & Diseases

Cystopteridaceae ferns are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but they can occasionally be affected by:

• Spider mites
• Scale insects
• Leaf spot
• Rust

To prevent these problems, make sure your ferns are growing in well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering or overcrowding. If you do notice signs of pests or disease, treat them promptly with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide.

Habitat

The Cystopteridaceae fern family is found worldwide, but most of the species are distributed in temperate regions. These ferns are commonly found in woodlands, meadows, and along streams and rivers.

Question and Answer

Q: Are Cystopteridaceae ferns easy to grow?

A: Yes, these ferns are generally easy to grow as long as you provide them with the right conditions.

Q: Can you grow Cystopteridaceae ferns indoors?

A: Yes, some species can be grown indoors as long as they have bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil.

Q: How do you propagate Cystopteridaceae ferns?

A: You can propagate these ferns by dividing the rhizome in the spring or by sowing spores.

Q: What is the difference between Cystopteris and Gymnocarpium?

A: Cystopteris ferns have sori that are covered by a thin, kidney-shaped indusium, while Gymnocarpium ferns have sori that are uncovered.

Related Plants

Here are some related plants that you might be interested in:

• Polypodiaceae (polypody family)
• Aspleniaceae (spleenwort family)
• Dryopteridaceae (wood fern family)
• Pteridaceae (brake family)

References

Here are some references that you can use to learn more about Cystopteridaceae ferns:

• Flora of North America. (n.d.). Cystopteridaceae. In Flora of North America Online. Retrieved from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=10161
• Maarten J. M. Christenhusz, Xian-Chun Zhang & Harald Schneider. (2011). A linear sequence of extant families and genera of lycophytes and ferns. Phytotaxa 19: 7-54. Retrieved from https://www.biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.19.1.3
• Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Cystopteridaceae. In Tropicos.org. Retrieved from http://www.tropicos.org/Name/10066