Plants generally terrestrial. Stems erect to obliquely ascending, stolons absent. Leaves monomorphic, evergreen or dying back in winter. Petiole 2/3 to equaling length of blade, base not swollen; vascular-bundles more than 3, arranged in an arc, ± round in cross-section. Blade lanceolate to deltate, 1–4-pinnate-pinnatifid, gradually reduced distally to confluent, pinnatifid apex, herbaceous. Pinnae not articulate to rachis, segment margins nearly entire to crenulate, ciliate; proximal pinnae not reduced, sometimes basal pair much the longest, sessile to petiolulate, equilateral or inequilateral with basiscopic side more developed (pinnules noticeably longer); costae adaxially rounded or flat, not grooved; indument of linear to lanceolate scales and often multicellular glandular-hairs abaxially, of multicellular reddish hairs adaxially. Veins free, simple or forked. Sori in 1 row between midrib and margin, round; indusia round-reniform, attached at narrow sinus, sometimes small or seemingly absent, persistent or caducous. Spores brownish, usually spiny, sometimes prominently cristate, rarely finely reticulate. x = 41.

Distribution

Nearly worldwide in the tropics.

Discussion

Species ca. 100 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Ctenitis sloanei, Ctenitis submarginalis

Key

1	Blades ovate-lanceolate, 2-4-pinnate-pinnatifid; basal pinnae inequilateral, elongate basiscopically.	Ctenitis sloanei
1	Blades oblong or narrowly lanceolate, 1-pinnate-pinnatifid; basal pinnae equilateral.	Ctenitis submarginalis