The rhizomes are long- to short-creeping to ascending, and sometimes stoloniferous (Matteuccia and Onocleopsis). The leaves are strongly dimorphic and the petioles have two vascular bundles uniting distally into a gutter-shape. The blades are pinnatifid or pinnate-pinnatifid.
The rhizomes of certain plants can be short- to long-creeping, ascending, or stoloniferous (Matteuccia and Onocleopsis). The leaves exhibit strong dimorphism, with petioles featuring two vascular bundles that merge distally into a distinctive gutter-like structure. The blades are characterized by pinnatifid or pinnate-pinnatifid arrangements.