Subgenus Sphaerocionium

Subgenus Sphaerocionium is clearly distinct in the archipelago with two species characterized by lamina covered by a dense indumentum (see Fig. 2A). By contrast, all other Comorian Hymenophyllum species display glabrous lamina margins. Furthermore, the two Comorian Sphaerocionium species, Hymenophyllum hirsutum (L.) Sw. and H. capillare are easily distinguished from each other: H. capillare usually has wingless stipes and rachis (except in dwarf forms exhibiting winged rachis, at least in their upper part) while H. hirsutum always bears a developed wing all along the stipes and rachis. In addition, lamina hairs are pedunculated in H. hirsutum (see Fig. 2A) and not pedunculated in H. capillare .