Latin tectus - hidden; possibly referring to its presence in shaded habitats.

Rhizome short-creeping to erect, thick, covered with large scales. Sterile and fertile fronds similar. Fronds mostly divided once, clustered, evergreen. Blade mostly broad; veins generally netted; plantlets occasionally on the upper surface. Stalk grooved above. Sori round, scattered. Indusia round to kidney-shaped and often soon shed.

A variable genus sometimes segregated into other genera.

Propagation: Spores or plantlets.

Recognition: Veins generally forming a network.

c. 200 species from tropical regions, mostly Asia to Polynesia.

Created by: Val Stajsic

Updated by: Val Stajsic, May 2018