E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Family Description:
Most species are flattened and one to six cells thick. Many have veins or a midrib. Tetrasporangia are tetrahedrally divided and usually occur in sori. Cystocarps are embedded in the plant. Carpospores escape through an ostiole.

Species description:
Crisscross Network is bright pink to rose red and develops small clusters of flat, delicate blades that grow up to 30 cm (12 in) tall and about half that width. Each blade becomes deeply cleft and often tattered with age. Within each blade lies a delicate system of veins that branch and rejoin to form a network that extends throughout the blade except near the margins. These veins are larger near the base of each blade. At the base of the blades, a short, cylindrical stipe about 2.5 cm (1 in) long leads to a small holdfast, which can be discoidal or somewhat branched.

Male and female gametophytes of Crisscross Network are separate individuals. Reproductive structures appear as small red spots scattered over both sides of the blades.

Crisscross Network grows on rocks, especially ones that are oriented vertically, and also on smaller stones, worm tubes, wood, and other hard surfaces. It prefers areas that are moderately protected.