Abstract:

An observation and analysis of series of characteristics coming from sixteen species belonging to five genera of Polypodiaceae subfam. Polypodioideae were undertaken in order to unravel the phylogenetic relationships within this group. Spores, the structure of leaf epidermis, the transverse section of stipes, the rhizome scales and the venation patterns were selected for study. Several of these characteristics were studied in detail for this group for the first time. Morphologically and phytogeographically, the phylogenetic relationships between these genera are correlated with the distribution areas. The three mainly subtropical Asia distributed genera— Polypodiodes, Polypodiastrum and Metapolypodium share a presumably close relationship, while the genera of Schellolepis from tropical Asia and Polypodium from Asia temperate zone are
isolated in systematic position.

Key words: Subfam. Polypodioideae