Lindsaea, commonly known as necklace fern, is a genus of approximately 180 species of ferns in the family Lindsaeaceae, order Polypodiales. The genus has a predominantly tropical and temperate distribution worldwide, with around 15 species native to Australia across all states.
Plants in the genus are mostly terrestrial, growing from slender, long- or short-creeping rhizomes. Fronds range from uniform to somewhat dimorphic and are typically 1–3-pinnate; the veins are free or sometimes loosely reticulate, and the pinnae have a characteristic tendency to shrivel when dried. Stipe and rachis colour varies by species from straw-coloured to reddish-brown or black, and lamina texture ranges from yellowish-green to dark green.
Lindsaea belongs to the family Lindsaeaceae, which was segregated from the broader leptosporangiate fern families. GBIF recognises approximately 165 accepted species. The genus name is sometimes spelt Lindsaya and commemorates John Lindsay, a surgeon working in Jamaica who contributed to early botanical knowledge of ferns.
Etymology
The genus Lindsaea was named in honour of John Lindsay, a surgeon working in Jamaica who made early contributions to fern botany. The name is sometimes spelt Lindsaya. The common name “necklace fern” refers to the appearance of the regularly spaced pinnae along the frond rachis.
Distribution
Lindsaea comprises approximately 180 species distributed across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. Around 15 species occur in Australia, spanning all states. The genus is most diverse in humid tropical environments across Asia, Australasia, and the Americas.
Taxonomy Notes
Lindsaea is placed in the family Lindsaeaceae, order Polypodiales, class Polypodiopsida — the leptosporangiate ferns. GBIF recognises approximately 165 accepted species under this genus. The name is occasionally encountered as the alternative spelling Lindsaya.
