Evergreen ferns, fronds pinnate, with the pinnae often glossy and sickle-shaped. Generally spreading, more than upright. A good contrast to the typical ferns grown in gardens. Not completely hardy but as preferring a shady spot, this will help with that. Cyrtomium from the Greek kurtos, 'curved', referring to the fronds.
In common with most ferns, this genus has few specific wildlife values, aside from providing ground cover to amphibians and invertebrates.