Pyrrosia schimperiana var. schimperiana is widely distributed in the tropical parts of Africa, occurring from West Africa to Ethiopia and southwards to Angola and Zimbabwe. The species has a restricted distribution in South Africa and is confined to the Blyde River Canyon and Mariepskop in Mpumalanga. Although the species also occurs as a low-level epiphyte, it often occurs in rock crevices on exposed and shaded cliffs, but never in deep shade. This species is named after the Strasbourg Professor of Botany, W.P. Schimper (1804-1878), who collected plants in various parts of Africa, particularly Ethiopia.

The rhizome of P. schimperiana grows up to 2 mm in diameter and is also not as widely creeping as that of the former species. The fronds are borne up to 10 mm apart and are firmly herbaceous, but not as leathery as that of the former species.

Both frond surfaces of this species remain densely covered by stellate hairs, giving the plant a greyish colour. The fronds grow up to 180 x 25 mm. The fronds of both species are poikilohydrous (frond turgidity varies in accordance with the available habitat moisture: fronds will roll up when dry and unfold when moisture levels increase).

Polystichum luctuosum: mourning shield fern (Eng.); treur skildvaring (Afr.)
The species has a wide distribution in the Old World, extending as far as Japan. It is also widely distributed in South Africa, occurring from the Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal to the north-eastern parts of the Free State, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. It grows at elevations ranging between 760 and 1 740 m. The species is confined to evergreen forests where it grows on the forest floor or on rocks. P. luctuosum is often sold as P. tsus-simense and is a predominantly single-stemmed species resulting in a tussock-like growth. It can reach a height of up to 0.4 m. This smaller species has a very neat appearance, and is characterised by the almost black scales and dark veins, which contrast with the olive-green leaves. It is best cultivated in shade and needs to be kept moist, but not wet, at all times. It is a slow grower. Propagate by spores.

Polystichum monticola: mountain shieldfern (Eng.); berg skildvaring (Afr.)
Polystichum monticola is confined to South Africa, extending from the Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape, through the Western and Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, to Lesotho, occurring from 600 to 2 740 m. The habitat includes seasonally moist, evergreen forests, rock crevices, cliff bases, stream banks, and forest margins, often growing in exposed, seasonally xeric conditions. The rhizome is decumbent and closely branched, resulting in plants forming a shrubby growth form. This variable and predominantly high altitude species is ideally suited for garden cultivation. The arching leaves are mid-green in colour and up to 0.8 m long. Although the species will tolerate some sun once well established, it is best cultivated in moist conditions in light shade. The species is slow-growing, and propagation is best done by rhizome division.

Polystichum transvaalense: stemmed shieldfern (Eng.); enkelstam skildvaring (Afr.)
Polystichum transvaalense is widely distributed in temperate and tropical Africa. In South Africa it occurs from the Drakensberg foothills in the Eastern Cape along the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg escarpment, the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal midlands, the Free State/KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga/Limpopo Province escarpment to the Soutpansberg, with outlying populations in the southern Cape mountains. It occurs at altitudes ranging from 365 to 1 840 m and is confined to forests. It has a short, erect, usually unbranched rhizome and a tussock-like growth form. In suitable conditions the suberect to arching pale- to mid-green leaves may be up to 1 m long. The species is suited to be used as a focal point in smaller gardens and should best be cultivated in light shade, preferring moist conditions. The species is worthy of cultivation because of its neat appearance. Propagate from spores.

Microsorum pappei (Mett. ex Kuhn) Ching - Pappe's wart fern

Microsorum pappei has a widely creeping rhizome up to 3 mm in diameter with fronds spaced about 30 mm apart. The leaf stalk grows up to 120 mm long, and the glabrous, simple, narrowly elliptic lamina is up to 370 x 80 mm. The circular sori are 1.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter, and occur half-way between the midrib and the margin in one or two rows on either side of the costa.

The species is not available in the trade, but should it become available, it must be grown in light to deep shade in an environment with a high humidity. The species should be grown in a loose, well-drained medium that should always be kept moist.

Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel.-pitted wart fern

Microsorum punctatum has a short, creeping rhizome up to 4 mm in diameter and is covered with a thick felt of roots. The fronds are short-stalked and up to 10 mm apart. The narrowly elliptic lamina is simple, and up to 1500 x 110 mm. It has a thin leathery texture and is minutely pitted. The sori are about 1 mm in diameter and are irregularly scattered on the undersurface of the lamina.

The species is ideal for cultivation indoors and outdoors provided that it is planted in deep shade, never exposed to direct sunlight and kept moist at all times. An increased humidity will be beneficial. The species is best cultivated in a well-drained humus-rich medium kept moist at all times.

Uses: A tea of the plant is drunk for coughing fits. The leaf sap has also been reported to be used as an enema.

Microsorum scolopendria (Burm.f.) Copel.-embossed fern

Microsorum scolopendria has a widely creeping rhizome up to 10 mm in diameter that mostly occurs on the soil surface. The deeply pinnatifid, leathery fronds, up to 0.9 m long, are widely spaced along the rhizome. The stipe (leaf stalk) is up to 400 mm long. The leaf blade is divided into narrowly oblong lobes, up to 220 x 30 mm. The somewhat sunken sori are round to oval, 2 to 3 mm in diameter and occur in one or two rows on either side of the costa. Adaxially the sori are embossed.

This is a hardy species and easy to cultivate in a wide range of habitats. It is best cultivated outdoors in light shade, but it will also tolerate direct sunlight for part of the day. In older gardens it often establishes on brick or stone walls, or on trees, especially palms. Although it will tolerate short, dry spells it is best cultivated in conditions which remain constantly moist.

Uses: For abscesses, a paste of ground leaves mixed with earth from a wasp's nest is applied. For wounds, leaf pulp is used as a dressing, and for insanity, leaves are ground in water and the liquid drunk.