Blechnaceae

Blechnaceae is a family of fern plants that has from 2 to 9 genera genera and between 240-260 species of plants. The family belongs to the Polypodialesorder, classPolypodiopsida. Most of them are terrestrial plants, while others are climbing plants (as the ones in the Stenochlaena J.Sm.genus). The ferns in this family have stiff, oblong, pinnate cut leaves and some people call them ‘hard ferns’. Characteristic feature of many species is that young leaves temporarily are red hued. They propagate by spores.
Most species grow in the tropical climate regions of the world, and some members of the family are found in more unfavorable climate habitats such as Norway, Chile and Island.