pteridofita

any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

any of various small to large terrestrial ferns of the genus Adiantum having delicate palmately branched fronds

any of various ferns of the genus Pteris having pinnately compound leaves and including several popular houseplants

perennial rushlike flowerless herbs with jointed hollow stems and narrow toothlike leaves that spread by creeping rhizomes; tend to become weedy; common in northern hemisphere; some in Africa and South America