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| Schizeales | ||||||||
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The Schizeales is an old order. The ferns in this order were formerly all lumped into the family Schizeaceae, in the old order Filicales. However, these ferns differ markedly, although demonstrably related, and so the groups are elevated to family status.
The Schizeaceae are generally small ferns with forking fronds and a distinctive, somewhat non-ferny, appearance. The Anemiaceae look very fern-like but bear the spore on two completely modified lower pinnae. The Lygodiaceae, or climbing ferns, look very ferny but are highly distinctive in their growth habit, with the rachis of the frond long and flexible, with indeterminate growth, so that the fronds form climbing or trailing vines.