Greek polys, many, + stichos, rows, referring to the lines of sori.

Plants medium-sized, terrestrial. Rhizomes decumbent to erect. Fronds close, forming a rosette. Stipes grooved adaxially, scaly, cross section revealing a semicircle of small, round vascular bundles. Blades 1- to 2-pinnate; rachises scaly. Pinnules apical spines, lobes spinetipped, with marginal teeth, auriculate. Sori round. Indusia usually peltate.

A cosmopolitan genus of about 200 species, mostly from temperate areas, but found at higher elevations in warmer climates. Represented in Hawai 'i by three endemic species.

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF POLYSTICHUM IN HAWAI'I

I. Blades coriaceous, adaxial surfaces glossy; pinnule margins cartilaginous; spines at pinnule lobes and tips small or absent; scales ovate-lanceolate, large and overlapping; indusia mostly entiremargined ........................................... 3. P. hillebrandii

1. Blades chartaceous, adaxial surfaces dull; pinnule margins not cartilaginous; spines at pinnule lobes and tips prominent; scales narrow, lanceolate, linear hairlike scales present and common; indusia with marginal projections (2).

2(1). Blades tapering at base; basal pinnae usually smaller, 1/4-1/3 length of middle pinnae; scales tan or light brown, color uniform ...... 2. P. haleakalense

2. Blades not tapering at base; basal pinnae nearly as long as middle pinnae; scales tan to light reddish brown, larger scales with a dark brown central stripe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I. P. bonseyi