Etymology: Greek histion - tissue, pteris - fern; referring to the soft fronds.Large, terrestrial spreading ferns.

Rhizome long-creeping, thin, covered with glossy hairs. Fronds deciduous in cool areas, to 4 m long, of 1 kind, pale green above, waxy bluish green below, divided 2-3 times. Stalk long, thin. Sterile fronds less divided than the fertile ones. Sori linear, just next to the margin. Indusia formed from the reflexed segment margin and without an inner flap.

7 species mostly from the tropics, S Africa, Australia and New Zealand (1 species in Australia).

Spores.

Veins netted; sori elongated.

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