Rhizome stout, often becoming enlarged due to sheathing with roots, forming erect trunk in Todea. Fronds thick or membranous, bipinnate to pinnately compound, winged at base with 2 broad flanges. Sporangia large, scattered on underside of frond (not in sori) and without indusium, each producing more than 100 spores. Gametophyte large and fleshy, often long-lived, elongate, cordate, thicker in centre.
3 genera with c. 20 species; 2 genera in Australia, only Todea barbara occurring in Victoria.
Source:
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Ferns and allied plants (Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Polypodiophyta). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 13–111. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
