Latin tectum, roof, + -aria, a suffix indicating connection or possession; alluding to the rooflike indusium in some species.

Plants medium-sized to large, terrestrial or epipetric. Rhizomes creeping, decumbent to erect. Fronds clustered. Stipe bases in cross section reveal a semicircle of small, round vascular bundles. Blades variable in form and dissection, simple to pinnatifid to 2-pinnatepinnatifid. Veins reticulate, forming areoles, often with included veinlets. Sori round. Indusia peltate to kidney-shaped.

A pantropical and subtropical genus of about 150 species. Represented in Hawai 'i by one endemic and one naturalized species.

KEY TO THE NATIVE AND NATURALIZED TECTARIA SPECIES IN HAWAI'I

1. Blades 1-pinnate to 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, tips pinnatifid; pinnae deeply pinnatifid; all major islands ......... , .................. I. T. gaudichaudii

I. Blades 1-pinnate, basal pair with an elongate, acute, basal basiscopic lobe, tips usually similar to lateral pinnae; pinnae margins entire to slightly crenulate; Kaua'i, O'ahu, Hawai'i ............................ 2. T. incisa