keys to the vascular plants of east texas - Botanical Research ...

DRYOPTERIDACEAE
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AThe family as broadly interpreted here follows Smith (1993b) and includes genera at times
segregated into other families (e.g., Athyrium, Nephrolepis, Onoclea, Woodsia). It is cosmopolitan
and has ca. 60 genera and ca. 3,000 species. Other authors (e.g., Lellinger 1985) have treated
the family in a more restricted sense—32 genera and 850 species, with genera such as
Athyrium, Cystopteris, Onoclea, and Woodsia segregated into the Woodsiaceae and Nephrolepis
placed in the Davalliaceae. The family has sometimes been treated as the Aspidiaceae (an illegitimate
name).
FAMILY RECOGNITION IN THE FIELD: sori in most species on veins or vein tips (usually not marginal)
on lower leaf surfaces, or in Onoclea in berry-like or bead-like structures on fertile leaves conspicuously
different from the sterile leaves; lower surfaces of leaf blades without transparent
needle-like hairs (distinguishing this family from Thelypteridaceae which have such hairs); ultimate
leaf segments (= smallest subdivisions of leaf) not entire.
REFERENCES: Correll 1956, 1966a; Kramer et al. 1990b; Smith 1993b; Sano et al. 2000.
1. Fertile and sterile leaves completely different; fertile leaves without typical blade tissue, the sori
in berry-like or bead-like structures; sterile leaf blades 1-pinnatifid (deeply divided but not completely
pinnate); rachis with a conspicuous flange of photosynthetic tissue _____________________ Onoclea
1. Fertile and sterile leaves or portions of leaves similar, the fertile portion never without blade
tissue, the sori on blade tissue; leaf blades at least completely 1-pinnate, often more divided;
rachis without a flange of photosynthetic tissue.
2. Leaf blades only 1-pinnate, the pinnae themselves not further divided, neither pinnate
nor pinnatifid (but large basal lobe(s) or auricles sometimes present on pinnae).
3. Pinnae 1–2(–3) pairs in addition to a single terminal pinna (pinnae sometimes with large
basal lobe(s) or auricles); plants primarily of the Edwards Plateau, in East TX known only
from extreme w margin of area in Comal Co. __________________________________________ Tectaria
3. Pinnae more than four pairs (usually many more) in addition to a single terminal pinna;
plants widespread in East Texas.
4. Pinnae ovate, conspicuously narrowed to an acuminate tip; fertile pinnae with sori scattered
over whole lower surface (sometimes appearing as if in numerous rows) _________ Cyrtomium
4. Pinnae � oblong, � parallel-sided (but often with a small basal auricle); fertile pinnae
with sori in 2–4 distinct rows.
5. Sori only on the uppermost, somewhat reduced, fertile pinnae (distal 1/3 to 1/2 of
leaf ); indusia orbicular, not at all kidney-shaped; pinnae margins with bristly teeth;
stolons absent _________________________________________________________ Polystichum
5. Sori not restricted to the uppermost pinnae, the fertile pinnae not reduced; indusia
orbicular-kidney-shaped; pinnae margins without bristly teeth (small non-bristly teeth
may be present); stolons present, wiry and widely creeping _____________________ Nephrolepis
2. Leaf blades more than 1-pinnate, the pinnae themselves further divided, either pinnate or
pinnatifid.
6. Sori elongate, straight to hooked or curved; indusia with elongate attachment along one
side, the attachment as long as the elongate sori ____________________________________ Athyrium
6. Sori round or nearly so; indusia variously attached, but attachment not elongate.
7. Leaf blades relatively large, 10–30 cm wide, 35–120 cm long; pinnules (= subdivisions of
pinnae) of middle pinnae typically 5 mm or more wide at their bases, only shallowly
toothed and thus not appearing subdivided; indusia attached at a narrow sinus, the
round-kidney-shaped indusia usually obvious with the naked eye or at least with 10X
magnification; petiole bases with 3 or more vascular bundles; plants rare in East TX ______ Dryopteris
7. Leaf blades usually smaller, 3.5–10 cm wide, 8–40(–60) cm long; pinnules of middle pinnae
typically less than 5 mm wide at their bases, at least some so deeply toothed or
incised as to appear subdivided; indusia not attached at a narrow sinus (rather attached
below sori and at first cup-like and completely enclosing sori, but later splitting into