The rhizomes are short, dark brown, and creeping, with a more or less dense covering of hairs and bristles.

[3] Species with "Jamesonia-type" morphology have many fronds with short, often leathery pinnae, and are associated with exposed habitats.

Species with "Eriosorus-type" morphology have fewer fronds with longer, thinner pinnae, and are associated with more sheltered areas including cloud forests.

The stalks (petioles and rachises) of the frond are dark brown and usually grooved on the upper (adaxial) surface.

[4] The genus Eriosorus, proposed by Antoine Fée in 1852, was recognized as closely related, both genera being placed in the taenitidoid group of the subfamily Pteridoideae.

A molecular phylogenetic study in 2004 showed that neither genus was monophyletic on its own, but that together they formed a clade.

[5][1] A further study in 2015 showed that the genus Nephopteris with the sole species N. maxonii belonged in the same clade.

[7] Jamesonia Pterozonium Tryonia Taenitis Syngramma Austrogramme J. osteniana (Dutra) Gastony J. rufescens (Fée) Christenh.

J. brasiliensis Christ J. alstonii A.F.Tryon J. canescens (Klotzsch) Kunze J. rotundifolia Fée J. scammaniae A.F.Tryon J. insignis (Kuhn) Christenh.