This fascicle deals with the family Gleicheniaceae which is an ancient family divided into two subfamilies, Stromatopteridoideae with a monotypic genus Stromatopteris Mett. restricted to New Caledonia, and Gleichenioideae with 4 genera, 3 of which occur in Africa and one, Diplopterygium Diels, with about 25 species, 24 of which occur in the Old World (not Africa).
The flora is prepared at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in close collaboration with East African Herbarium and in liaison with the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Nairobi and the Makerere University. Significant contributions are also made by specialists elsewhere. The flora is designed to a high academic standard and should be a useful resource reference for anyone concerned with the identification and utilization of plants in eastern Africa. Each family is published as a separate part.