Etymology: Greek kyatheion - little cup, in reference to the cup-like indusium found in some species. The Greek is latinised in compound words to Cyath-.

Characters as for family description.

Tree Fern Sago Fern.

c. 800 species mostly from the tropics and subtropics but a few extending southward into temperate and cool-temperate areas (11 species endemic to Australia).

Spores (sometimes difficult) or offsets.

Base of fronds with pale to dark scales, in contrast to the ginger hairs of Dicksonia.

Tindale (1956), Holttum (1963, 1964, 1965), Tryon (1976), Windisch (1977).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Cyatheaceae. 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.