Terrestrial or epipetric, small to large and vinelike. Rhizomes creeping or erect, bearing multicellular hairs, scales not clathrate. Fronds simple and small, or with long stipes and short, tightly curled blades, or very long and vinelike. Sporangia borne on strongly modi-fied blade segments.

A family of four genera found mostly in tropical and southern warm-temperate climates. Represented in Hawai 'i by two genera.