Pteridophyta: Polypodiales

Davalliaceae - Rabbit's foot ferns

Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature

Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.

Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13

Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca

Description of the family

Terrestrial, lithophytic or epiphytic plants. Rhizome creeping, laterally branched with peltate rhizome-scales. Stipe articulated near the base. Fronds numerous, monomorphic, much dissected, usually triangular, 2- to 5- pinnatifid. Lamina pinnately compound; venation free, pinnately branched, ending near the margin. Indumentum composed of narrow bracts with short marginal outgrowths occurring on the rhizome and short, simple, gland-tipped hairs occurring on the lamina.Sori small, round, terminal on the veins near the margin. Indusium attached at the sides forming a pouch-like structure, opening towards the margin, entire; homosporus.

Worldwide: 4-5 genera and c. 65 species worldwide.

Zambia: 1 genus and 1 taxon.

Links to genera: View: living plant images - herbarium specimen images - all images for this family

Genus	Content
Davallia Sm.	Description, Image

Other sources of information about Davalliaceae:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Davalliaceae
Flora of Mozambique: Davalliaceae
Flora of Zimbabwe: Davalliaceae

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Davalliaceae
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Davalliaceae
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Davalliaceae
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Davalliaceae
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Davalliaceae
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Davalliaceae
JSTOR Plant Science: Davalliaceae
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Davalliaceae
Wikipedia: Davalliaceae
Plants of the World Online: Davalliaceae
Tropicos: Davalliaceae