Polypodium subg. Drynaria Bory, Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 5: 463. 1825.

Plants epiphytic, epilithic, or terrestrial. Rhizome shortly to long creeping; rhizome scales appressed or often squarrosely spreading, basifixed or peltate, margin toothed; fronds usually dimorphic, with basal and foliage frond, rarely monomorphic (basal frond absent); basal fronds sessile, orbicular to ovate-elliptic, entire to lobed up to 2/3; foliage fronds internally monomorphic or apical fertile part slightly narrowed, stalked, pinnatifid, apex often aborted, with a lateral pinna taking its place, rarely pinnate (then pinnae articulate to rachis, deciduous), hairs sometimes present, spread throughout lamina; in pinnatifid species, pinnae separating from costa and from each other by a line of abscission between costa and base of sinus; basal pinnae reduced; costae, costules, and main veins prominent abaxially, cross veins and minor venation evident, much anastomosing with occasional free included veinlets, veins forming glandular patches or nectaries along costa, usually just above costules; mature fronds without hydathodes on adaxial surface, margins cartilaginous, lamina of mature fronds scaly at first, glabrescent. Sori small, in rows along veins or connecting veins, very shallowly impressed. Sporangia glabrous or sometimes with glandular hairs. Spores with spines or small globules. n = 36, 37.

Sixteen species: paleotropical, mainly in subtropical and tropical regions, epiphytic, epilithic, or terrestrial; nine species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Zhang Xianchun (张宪春); Michael G. Gilbert)