Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome short, erect, with thick black roots and sometimes underground runners; scales rough, dark. Sterile and fertile fronds similar or different. Fronds deeply divided once, rough, leathery, narrowly ovate-lanceolate to linear in outline. Segments with pronounced teeth; veins netted. Stalks scaly, at least at the base, red to black. Sori mostly separated, oblong, slightly sunken, usually curved, in 1,2 or sometimes 3 rows on each side of the midrib. Indusia along a vein, opening inwards.

c. 11 species from Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea to Asia and Hawaii (5 in Australia).

Fronds generally rough, divided once, pink-flushed at first; sori discrete and arranged in rows parallel to the segment midribs.

Spores or division.

Goy (1939), Parris (1972).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Blechnaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.