This list represents all pteridophyte species known to grow on Moorea. Most pictures are of living specimens taken in the field. Herbarium specimens from the University and Jepson Herbaria at the University of California at Berkeley were used when field pictures were not available.

Diagnostic Key to Pteridophytes of Moorea

Ethnobotanical Uses of Pteridophytes

Click on photos or on links to see larger pictures.

Aspleniaceae
Asplenium australasicum Bird's Nest Fern Photos: Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic at middle to high elevations; in rainforests, generally in high tree forks. Notes: Differs from the less common Asplenium nidus by midrib rounded abaxially.
Asplenium caudatum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond 1 2 Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest.
Asplenium gibberosum Photos: Field Whole plant Frond surface Fertile frond Rachis Stipe bases Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at middle elevations. Synonym: Loxoscaphe gibberosa
Asplenium nidus Photos: Field 1 2 3 Whole frond Linear sori Base of midrib	Description: Epiphytic at middle to high elevations; in rainforests, generally in high tree forks. Notes: Often mistaken for A. australasicum, which is much more common on Moorea. Differs from A. australasicum by flat midrib.
Asplenium polyodon Photos: Field Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic, found in tree forks, at times with Asplenium australasicum, as well as on logs and rocks.
Asplenium tenerum Photos: Field Whole plant Frond surface Fertile frond Stipe bases and rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Lithophytic, rainforest, generally near creeks.
Athyriaceae
Deparia confluens Photos: Field Whole plant Frond underside Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at middle elevations in rainforest.
Deparia petersenii ssp. congrua Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epipetric on damp rock faces in cloud forest. Morphologically similar to Deparia confluens but larger in overall size.
Diplazium ellipticum Photos: Field Whole plant Midrib and pinna bases Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial in forest understory.
Diplazium grantii Photos: Field Fertile frond	Description: Terrestrial in forest understory.
Diplazium harpeodes Photos: Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial in forest understory.
Diplazium proliferum Photos: Field 1* 2* Fertile frond* *Marie Fourdrigniez 2009	Description: Terrestrial in forest understory. Note numerous bulbets along rachis. Introduced.
Blechnaceae
Blechnum orientale Photos: Field Frond base, middle and tip Costa with reduced pinna Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at low to middle elevations, usually found in exposed, drier areas, often in colonies.
Blechnum pacificum Photos: Field Fertile frond Sterile frond Stipe scales Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest. Lamina of fertile segments reduced, sterile segments expanded on the same frond.
Blechnum patersonii Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond 1 2 Costa with reduced pinna Rhizome Stipe scale	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Young leaves bright red.
Blechnum raiateense Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile pinna Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at middle elevations. Pinna gradually reduced towards base.
Blechnum vulcanicum Photos: Field Lower frond Stipe base	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest. Young leaves bright red.
Cyatheaceae
Alsophila tahitensis Photos: Field 1 2 Frond sections Fertile frond Frond tip Stipe base Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, tree fern to 10 meters, in rainforests and cloud forests; extirpated from some previously known localities on Moorea.
Cyathea epaleata Photos: Field 1 2 Frond bud Fertile frond Stipe base	Description: Rare tree fern, terrestrial at high elevations. Scales concentrated on apex of growing bud tip.
Sphaeropteris medullaris Photos: Field 1 2 Fertile frond Frond tip Stipe base Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in rainforests and cloud forests; extirpated from some previously known localities on Moorea.
Davalliaceae
Davallia solida Photos: Field 1* 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Midrib Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic at all elevations, usually in rainforests.
Humata anderssonii Photo: Field	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations in cloud forest.
Humata pectinata Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic, climbing on trees in rainforests.
Wibelia denticulata Photos: Field Whole frond Frond tip Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at low to middle elevations, in forest understory near streams and/or in rocky areas.
Dennstaedtiaceae
Histiopteris incisa Photos: Field 1 2 Fertile frond Midrib with stipule-like pinnules Rhizome 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest.
Hypolepis dicksonioides Photos: Field Whole frond Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen	Description: Terrestrial at high elevation, in cloud forest.
Hypolepis tenuifolia Photos: Field 1 2 Frond surface Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial, middle elevations in forest understory.
Microlepia scaberula Photos: Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial in forst understory.
Paesia divaricatissima Photo: Field 1 2 Frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest.
Dryopteridaceae
Arachniodes aristata Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial, in moist areas in forest understory and among boulders.
Bolbitis lonchophora Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial, damp areas near streams in small valleys.
Ctenitis sciaphila var. sciaphila Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Terrestrial, in forest understory.
Dryopteris dicksonioides Photos: Field 1 2 Frond surface Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations.
Dryopteris macrolepidota Photos: Field Frond Stipe scales Fertile frond	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations.
Elaphoglossum florencei	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations. Note: Morphologically similar to Elaphoglossum samoense, but varies by thinner rhizomes covered with smaller scales and by serrulate petiolar scales that are flat and not erect.
Elaphoglossum samoense Photos: Field Fertile frond Lamina base and stipe Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest Note: E. societarum Copel. is possibly a synonym, certainly it is closely related
Elaphoglossum savaiense Photos: Field	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations Note: Copeland called this E. gorgoneum, but that species is a synonym of the Hawaiian endemic E. aemulum (as indicated by D. Palmer and others). The most applicable name to Society Islands material is E. savaiense (type from Samoa). Reported for Moorea by Drake del Castillo (1893) as E. gorgoneum.
Leucostegia pallida Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at middle elevations. Note: Long thought to be a member of Davalliaceae, but molecular data shows it to be in Dryopteridaceae.
Lomagramma tahitensis Photos: Field 1 2 3 Whole plant Frond surface Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial and climbing trees in forests.
Teratophyllum wilkesianum Photos: Field Whole plant Frond surface Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial and climbing trees, sometimes in open areas.
Gleicheniaceae
Dicranopteris linearis var. linearis Photos: Field* Herbarium specimen 1 2 *Vicente Garcia 2002	Description: Terrestrial, thicket-forming, aggressive weed in dry, open, disturbed areas at all elevations; will completely colonize fire scars, growing in dense thickets up to 3 m tall., often in very hot, exposed ridges, where it forms the dominant ground cover; extensive use in decorating for festivals, also used medicinally by various Pacific cultures.
Diplopterygium longissimum Photos: Field Whole plant Pinna Midrib and pinnae bases	Description: Similar growth habit as Dicranopteris linearis var. linearis, but less common.
Sticherus tahitensis Photos: Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Similar growth habit as Dicranopteris linearis var. linearis, but less common.
Hymenophyllaceae
Abrodictyum asae-grayi Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest, rare. Lamina is reduced to only a few cells wide on either side of vein. Note: Very similar in morphology to Southeast Asian Abrodictyum pluma; further studies needed to determine relationship between the two.
Abrodictyum caudatum Photo: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at middle to high elevations. Grows exclusively on tree fern rhizomes.
Abrodictyum dentatum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Sporangia Herbarium specimen	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations in rainforest understory. Fronds have tough, coriaceous texture.
Callistopteris apiifolia Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Stipe Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest. Often near streams.
Crepidomanes bipunctatum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Sporangia Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Lithophytic or, less commonly, epiphytic in rainforest understory, sometimes growing with Crepidomanes humile.
Crepidomanes humile Photos: Field Fertile frond Herbarium 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic in rainforest.
Crepidomanes kurzii Photos: Field Whole frond Sporangia	Description: Lithophytic in rainforest, rocks on streambanks. Resembles Crepdiomanes humile, but smaller (average frond 1 cm).
Crepidomanes minutum Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant 1 2 Gametophyte	Description: Epiphytic at mid to high elevations. In some individuals, "proliferations" occur where a new frond is produced directly from the stipe or lamina of another. Note: Two morphotypes present on Moorea supported by molecular data.
Didymoglossum tahitense Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Herbarium specimen	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic on trees and wet rocks in rainforests; fronds peltate, closely appressed to substrate.
Hymenophyllum digitatum Photos: Field Whole plant Involucre	Description: Epiphyte at high elevations in cloud forest. Often occurs on well covered tree bases in very low light.
Hymenophyllum flabellatum Photos: Field 1 2 3 Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Note: Molecular data shows that this species is closely related to Hymenophyllum pallidum. The two are very different in morphology except for the conspicuous yellow rhizome hairs.
Hymenophyllum cf. javanicum Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: Specimens of H. javanicum and Hymenophyllum samoense form a continuous series of morphological forms. More study needed on this group.
Hymenophyllum aff. multifidum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: Involucres bent up relative to the lamina are characteristic of H. multifidum, but Moorean material is dimunitive in size and differs in other morphological details such as stipe wing. Further study needed.
Hymenophyllum pallidum Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Involucre	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Frond surface has distinctive white sheen. Notes: (see Hymenophyllum flabellatum)
Hymenophyllum polyanthos Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Involucres	Description: Epiphytic at mid to high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: A cosmopolitan, polyphyletic species.
Polyphlebium borbonicum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: Sometimes confused with Polyphlebium endlicherianum, but differs by lack of specialized sub-marginal cells.
Polyphlebium endlicherianum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Lamina Rhizome	Description: Epipetric on moist rocks in low elevation cloud forest.
Vandenboschia maxima Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in cloud forest.
Lindsaeaceae
Lindsaea repens var. marquesensis Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at middle elevations.
Lindsaea rigida Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations.
Sphenomeris chinensis Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Common fern of dry, disturbed sites.
Lomariopsidaceae
Lomariopsis brackenridgei Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond segment Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Terrestrial and climbing trees in forest understory, rocky, shaded areas.
Nephrolepis biserrata Photo: Field	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations.
Nephrolepis cordifolia Fishbone fern, Herringbone fern Photo: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Stipe bases Rhizome Herbarium specimen	Description: Terrestrial in open exposed areas.
Nephrolepis exaltata Photos: 1 2	Description: Terrestrial. Notes: This species is the source of the "Boston Fern," the world's most popular indoor cultivated fern variety.
Nephrolepis hirsutula Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Terrestrial or epiphytic, fronds to ca. 1 m, common at all elevations in forested areas.
Lycopodiaceae
Huperzia phlegmaria Common tassel-fern Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Microphylls Fertile segment Rhizome Herbarium specimen	Description: Epiphytic, rarely lithophytic or terrestrial, pendant.
Huperzia ribourtii Photos: Field Whole plant Microphylls Strobili Roots	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest.
Huperzia squarrosa Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile section Roots	Description: Epiphytic at middle elevations.
Lycopodiella cernua Photos: Field 1 2* Whole plant Fertile segment Roots Herbarium specimen 1 2 *Photo Vicente Garcia 2002	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations, erect "clubmoss" with nodding strobili, found in open dry to moist areas, or on forest borders in understory.
Lygodiaceae
Lygodium reticulatum Climbing fern Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Twining vine at middle to high elevations, in rainforests, frequently in disturbed sites.
Marattiaceae
Angiopteris evecta Photos: Field 1 2* Herbarium specimen *Vicente Garcia 2002	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations, fronds 3 or 4 meters, widespread in damp areas near streams in valleys; larger than Ptisana, sporangia not completely fused into synangia, common.
Ptisana salicina Photos: Field 1 2 Pulvini Stipe base Whole frond Fertile segment Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations, in wet valleys; smaller than Angiopteris, sporangia fully fused into synangia, uncommon. Synonym: Marattia salicina
Marsileaceae
Marsilea polycarpa	Description: Aquatic or semi-aquatic fern with clover-like leaves, in shallow water and very moist areas.
Oleandraceae
Oleandra sibbaldii Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations in cloud forest. Common on ridges on Mt. Tohiea.
Ophioglossaceae
Ophioglossum pendulum Ribbon fern Photos: Field 1 2 Sporophore Roots Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or on fallen logs, at middle to high elevations epiphyte, pendant on forest trees, frequently growing with Asplenium australasicum.
Ophioglossum reticulatum	Description: Terrestrial at low elevations, in forest or open areas near water sources. Rare, possibly naturalized from cultivated plants.
Polypodiaceae
Archigrammitis tahitensis Photos: Field Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: Formerly placed in Grammitis (see note for Grammitis marginelloides) but lacks black margins; the new combination with Archigrammitis is not yet published.
Belvisia spicata Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome with two rows of phyllopodia Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphyte or lithophyte in rainforests at middle to high elevations.
Calymmodon cf. orientalis Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphyte at high elevations in cloud forest. Notes: Calymmodon grantii is also reported from Tahiti, but differences between these two species are unclear.
Ctenopterella blechnoides Photos: Field Herbarium specimen	Description: Lithophytic or epiphytic in moist rainforests. Synonym: Ctenopteris blechnoides
Dasygrammitis cf. purpurascens Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile fronds Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: Dasygrammitis purpurascens is reported from Moorea, but current collections need to be checked against type material.
Grammitis marginelloides Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, in cloud forest. Notes: Grammitis as currently circumscribed includes only those species with black margins, which form a monophyletic group.
Microsorum commutatum Maire Photos: Field Frond Sori Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or terrestrial in forest understory. Notes: Commonly called Phymatosorus commutatus or Polypodium vitiense. This species is commonly used medicinally in the Society Islands; Crushed leaves emit a pleasant aroma, reminiscent of cinnamon and coumarin. The more common Microsorum grossum is used even more extensively as a medicine.
Microsorum grossum Metua pua'a Photos: Field Whole plant Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Terrestrial or lithophytic, at all elevations in exposed areas or under light tree cover, also found on “motu” (reef islands). Notes: Commonly called Phymatosorus grossus, and all references to Phymatosorus scolopendria for the Society Islands are referable to this species. The most commonly used medicinal fern in the Society Islands, and likely in the entire Pacific.
Microsorum x maximum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen	Description: Terrestrial or lithophytic at low elevations, coastal areas. Rare hybrid with irregular blades. Notes: Hybrid between Microsorum punctatum and Microsorum grossum
Microsorum membranifolium Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic in forest understory, fronds much larger than other similar Microsorum spp. Synonyms: Microsorum nigrescens, Phymatosorus nigrescens, Phymatosorus membranifolium.
Microsorum powellii Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations.
Microsorum punctatum Photos: Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial, lithophytic, or rarely epiphytic at low elevations, in xeric coastal areas, frequently in sandy soil in coastal forest.
Oreogrammitis raiateensis Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Sorus Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic in cloud forest.
Prosaptia contigua Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at middle to high elevations.
Prosaptia cf. subnuda Photos: Field Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic in moist rainforests.
Pyrrosia serpens Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2 3	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic at low to middle elevations.
Selliguea plantaginea Photos: Field Fertile frond Frond base Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations.
Psilotaceae
Psilotum complanatum Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Epiphytic at low to middle elevations, rare on Moorea.
Psilotum nudum Skeleton fork fern Photos: Field 1 2 Fertile frond Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or terrestrial, all elevations.
Tmesipteris gracilis Photos: Field Whole frond Synangia Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic at high elevations, nearly always on tree ferns. Rare on Moorea. Notes: All collections identified as Tmesipteris tannensis for the Society and Marquesas Islands are referable to Tmesipteris gracilis.
Pteridaceae
Acrostichum aureum Golden mangrove fern Photos: Field 1 2* 3* Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at low elevations, fronds to ca. 1.5 m, in open, moist, muddy, and/or swampy areas, amongst mangroves, and on coastal cliffs.
Adiantum hispidulum Rough maidenhair fern Photos: Field Whole plant Frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial, rarely lithophytic on damp rocks in very shady places in understory, near streams and in moist areas.
Adiantum raddianum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial or lithophytic in forest understory. Native to South America, naturalized on Moorea.
Adiantum trapeziforme Photos: Field 1 2 Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations, in exposed, dry to moist areas. Native to Mexico and Central America, naturalized on Moorea.
Antrophyum plantagineum Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic, in damp areas, usually under significant tree cover.
Antrophyum reticulatum Photos: Field 1 2 Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium 1 2 3	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic, in damp areas, usually under significant tree cover. Can resemble a larger version of Antrophyum plantagineum. Notes: There are many reports of A. callifolium (type from Java) from the Society Islands, but collections identified as this in herbaria are all referable to A. reticulatum (type from Tahiti), the older name. In any case, A. callifolium is dubiously distinct.
Cheilanthes cf. nudiuscula Photos: Field Frond Frond underside Rhizome	Description: Lithophytic on dry exposed hillsides. Notes: Material from the Society Islands has historically been called C. tenuifolia; C. nudiuscula is closely related and may differ in density of laminar hairs. Available Mo�orean material was immature and depauperate; additional research is needed to determine which name should be applied.
Doryopteris concolor Photos: Field Whole plant Frond underside Rhizome	Description: Lithophytic, uncommon on Moorea.
Haplopteris elongata Tape fern Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Epiphytic or lithophytic; grass-like fern, mostly on roots of other larger epiphytes, on fallen logs, or on rocks.
Pityrogramma calomelanos Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at low to middle elevations, in rocky disturbed areas, forest margins, plantations. Native to the Neotropics.
Pteris comans Netted brake fern Photos: 1 2	Description: Terrestrial, fronds to 1 meter, in shaded rainforests near streams, in rocky soils.
Pteris ensiformis cv. 'Victoriae' Photos: Field Whole plant Frond surface Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at low elevations in disturbed areas. Notes: Ornamental cultivar which has escaped and become naturalized on Moorea.
Pteris mertensioides Photos: Field 1 2 Fertile frond	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations. Rare on Moorea.
Pteris tripartita Giant brake fern, Lacy brake fern Photos: Field 1 2 Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen	Description: Terrestrial, fronds to 1 meter, in rainforests near streams.
Schizaeaceae
Schizaea dichotoma Fan fern Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations, in varying habitats, wet to dry, in forests and in open areas, uncommon.
Selaginellaceae
Selaginella banksii Photos: Field Whole plant Strobili and stem Stem base Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial in forests.
Selaginella laxa Photos: Field Whole plant (adaxial) Whole plant (abaxial)	Description: Lithophytic, rocks in or near streams.
Tectariaceae
Arthropteris palisotii Photos: Field Whole plant Frond Rhizome	Description: Epipetric, middle elevations. Notes: Family affiliations based on morphology uncertain, but molecular data supports Arthropteris as an early-diverging lineage of Tectariaceae.
Tectaria decurrens Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at middle elevations.
Tectaria dissecta Photos: Field Uncurling fiddlehead Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations.
Tectaria tahitensis Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial, in forest understory.
Thelypteridaceae
Amphineuron opulentum Photos: Field Whole frond Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at low elevations, rainforest understory.
Chingia longissima Photos: Habit Stipe bases Erect rhizome Whole frond Fertile frond Stipe base Midrib	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations. Rare on Moorea.
Christella dentata Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Yellow glands on underside of leaf Rhizome	Description: Introduced weedy fern of disturbed sites
Coryphopteris *sp.* Photos: Field Fertile frond Stipe bases Root and rhizome	Description: Terrestrial on ridgetops at high elevation, in cloud forest. Notes: Cannot be assigned to a known species from the Society Islands. Seems close to Coryphopteris pubirachis var. tahitensis, but additional study needed.
Macrothelypteris polypodioides Taiwanese tree fern Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial in open areas.
Macrothelypteris torresiana Photos: Field Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at low elevations, rainforest understory.
Plesioneuron attenuatum Photos: Field 1 2 3 Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial or lithophytic in forest understory.
Plesioneuron sp. Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at high elevations. Notes: Cannot be assigned to a known species from the Society Islands. Seems to be close to material of Plesioneuron marquesicum from the Marquesas, but further study needed.
Pneumatopteris mesocarpa Photos: Field Whole plant Middle pinnae Rhizome	Description: Terrestrial at middle to high elevations.
Sphaerostephanos invisus Photos: Field Whole frond Frond tip Fertile pinna Herbarium specimen 1 2	Description: Terrestrial in forest understory at low elevation.
Sphaerostephanos subpectinatus Photos: Field Whole plant Fertile frond Rhizome Herbarium specimen	Description: Terrestrial in forest understory at low elevation.

For more detailed information on the pteridophytes of Moorea, particularly in regards to synonymy, collection history, location of collections, distribution of taxa and a list of other species likely to be on Moorea, please refer to the following references:

Murdock, A. G. and A. R. Smith. 2003. Pteridophytes of Moorea, French Polynesia, with a new species Tmesipteris gracilis. Pacific Science 57(3): 253-265.

Nitta, J.H. 2008. Exploring the utility of three plastid loci for biocoding the filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) of Moorea. Taxon 57(3): 725–736.

Nitta, J.H., Meyer, J.-Y., and A.R. Smith. 2011. Pteridophytes of Mo'orea, French Polynesia: Additional New Records. American Fern Journal 101(1): 36–49.

Ranker, T. A., Trapp, P. G., Smith, A. R., Moran, R. C., and B. S. Parris. 2005. New Records of Lycophytes and Ferns from Moorea, French Polynesia. American Fern Journal 95(3): 126–127.

Rouhan, G., Lorence, D.H., Motley, T.J., Hanks, J.G., and R.C. Moran. 2008. Systematic revision of Elaphoglossum (Dryopteridaceae) in French Polynesia, with the description of three new species. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 158(2): 309–331.

* Unless otherwise noted, all photos of live plants on this page by Joel Nitta (2006, 2008, 2010) and all herbarium specimens by Andy Murdock (2002).