Polystichum Roth
Indusia orbicular-peltate. Basal acroscopic pinnule or lobe of the middle primary pinnae not distinctly closer to (Fig. 10) or slightly more remote from the main rhachis than the basal basiscopic pinnule or lobe. Lamina not basiscopically produced. Rhizome short and erect. Main rhachis with scaly proliferous buds in some species Polystichum
Proliferous buds present near the apex of the main rhachis. Squamules absent on the stipes and rhachises
Scales of the bases of the stipes glossy and mostly with a pale border. Distal lobes of the pinnules obtuse. Pedicels of the sporangia often with 1–2, stalked glands. Spores dark brown; the perispore covered with rounded balloon-like protuberances. Plants 30–120 cm high. Mainly on the ranges; common on the Blue Mts. RF and open forests on hillsides, often forming large stands. Mother Shield Fern Polystichum proliferum
Scales of the bases of the stipes dull and without a paler border. Distal lobes of the pinnules aristate (Fig. 10). Pedicels of the sporangia glandless. Spores with brown, reticulate, broadly winged perispores. Plants 30–110 cm high. Widespread. Open forests on rocky hillsides or on grassy slopes or in RF gullies Polystichum australiense