R & C | BOTANY | CULTIVATED DRYOPTERIS FERNS | KEY TO SUBGENERA AND SECTIONS

KEY TO THE SUBGENERA AND SECTIONS OF DRYOPTERIS
This key is provided as a rough guide to the sections of the genus. We recognize that many characters of the sections overlap each other and that placement in a section may be difficult. We have found that the illustrations provide one the most rapid and reliable guides to identification of specimens, followed by a confirmation against the written description. Please consult the introduction for some guidelines on identification.
1. Fronds pinnate with the terminal segment like the lateral ones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subgenus 1: Pycnopteris

1. Fronds pinnate or more divided, the apex divided

    2. Fronds with very small bullate or bullate-based scales on the underside of the rachis, costae or costules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . (Subgenus 3: Erythrovariae)
      3. Basiscopic pinnule on the lowest pinnae shorter than the adjacent pinnules (sometimes equal or slightly longer in D. cystolepidota). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 3.1: Erythrovariae

      3. Basiscopic pinnule of lowest pinnae noticeably longer than the adjacent pinnules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . Section 3.2: Variae

    2. Fronds without bullate or bullate based-scales on the underside of the rachis, costae or costules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Subgenus 2: Dryopteris)
      4. Fronds once pinnate, the pinnae only shallowly lobed or lobed only half way or less to the costae, rarely cut to the costae at the pinnae base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . Section 2.1: Hirtipedes

      4. Fronds fully pinnate-pinnatifid to 3(4)-pinnate

        5. Fronds mostly 3-pinnate
          6. Stipe scales narrow-lanceolate, matt and concolorous; blade triangular- ovate; stipe dark purple-brown at base (D. aemula) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.7: Aemulae

          6. Stipe scales ovate-lanceolate, mostly glossy and usually bicolorous; blade broader, pentangular, triangular or triangular-lanceolate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.8: Lophodium

        5. Fronds mostly pinnate-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate
          7. Fronds mostly pinnate-pinnatifid though bases of some pinnae may be pinnate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.3: Pandae

          7. Fronds nearly 2-pinnate to fully 2-pinnate

            8. Fronds thin-coriaceous, dark green, glossy above, the segments or pinnules regularly rectangular, the margins not toothed . . . . . . . . . . Section 2.2: Fibrillosae

            8. Fronds herbaceous, not dark green, matt, segments or pinnules not regularly rectangular, the sides mostly tapering, the margins entire, lobed or toothed

              9. Pinnules stalked or with narrow base in lower half of the pinnae, the segments or pinnules entire, lobed or with short acute teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Section2.6: Pallidae

              9. Pinnules not stalked nor narrowed at base in lower half of the pinnae; sides and apex of the segments or pinnules with long acute teeth

                10. Frond linear-lanceolate to lanceolate (broader in D. goldiana); scales mostly lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate . . . . . . Section 2.4: Dryopteris

                10. Frond narrowly triangular-lanceolate; scales triangular-lanceolate, light brown, their bases often dark (D. remota) . . . . . . . . . Section 2.5: Remotae


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