the indsium (membrane covering sorus) and receptacle. The family is dispersed world wide, and mostly grows in tropical regions, as well as subtropical and temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere. Members from the genus Hymenophyllum are all small, thin and delicate. They are either epiphytic plants or rock plants, forming dense mats along rainforest floors. Generally members of this family must reside in moist conditions, and therefore tropical or rainforest regions, but few members can withstand dryer conditions, curling up and later 'reviving' when moisture becomes available. References flabellatum Flora of the Auckland Islands Flora of Australia