Stems densely scaly. Leaves pendent, linear. Veins anastamosing in single row of areolae on each side of midrib. Sori in single submarginal groove on each side of midrib. Gametophytes 0.5–2 × 0.5–1 cm; gemmae uniseriate, 2–5 mm, borne at apices of aerial branches; body cells 2–16; rhizoid primordia cells 0–4.

Distribution

Worldwide in tropics and subtropics.

Discussion

Species ca. 50 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Vittaria appalachiana, Vittaria graminifolia, Vittaria lineata

Key

1	Stem scales tapering to long filiform tips; soral paraphyses without dilated terminal cells; spores monolete.	Vittaria lineata
1	Gemmae variable in length; body cells 2-16, rhizoid primordia present or absent.	> 2
2	Gemmae with 4-16 body cells, end cells equal to or smaller than medial cells; rhizoid primordia on some medial cells and regularly on end cells; sporophytes frequently produced.	Vittaria lineata
2	Gemmae with 2-12 body cells but at least some 2-3-celled gemmae present, end cells often swollen and larger than medial cells; rhizoid primordia often absent on 1 or both end cells, seldom present on medial cells; sporophytes not produced.	Vittaria appalachiana