Latin vitta - a narrow headband won during sacrificial rights, in reference to the narrow, ribbon-like fronds

.Description as for family but the fertile and sterile fronds sometimes different, the stalk short or absent. Sori in sunken bands near the edge of the blade. A genus in need of botanical revision.

c. 50-80 species tropics and subtropics (2 species in Australia).

Spores or division.

Linear, narrow, pendulous, ribbon-like fronds less than 1 cm wide; sori in 2 long sunken grooves near the frond margin.

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