Stems short-creeping, horizontal, clothed with dark hairs. Leaves partially dimorphic with sporangia restricted to erect, dissected, most proximal pair of pinnae arising from petiole just below sterile part of blade or leaves fully dimorphic and blade tissue lacking on fertile leaves. Blade 1--3-pinnate, papery to leathery. Veins free [anastomosing]. x = 38.

Anemias are most abundant in Brazil (ca. 70 spp.) and have a secondary center of diversity in Mexico (20 spp.). They are limited in the flora to peninsular Florida and the Edwards Plateau, Texas. All 3 species belong to the calciphilic subgenus Anemiorrhiza .