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Jepson eFlora Family Key to Group 3

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Citation for the whole project: Jepson Flora Project (eds.) . Jepson eFlora, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/ [accessed on ]


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Group 3: Plants reproducing by spores released directly from sporangia; flowers and seeds never formed (Lycophytes and Ferns)


1. Plant free-floating, raft-like, or stranded along shoreline or on drying mud
2. Leaves 0.5–1.5 mm, 
alternate 
image missing1. Arranged singly, often spirally, along an axis - e.g., one leaf per node. 2. Occurring in different ranks, appearing to be between, not directly above or below, as 'stamens alternate petals'.
[each with a thick green or ± red-tinged floating 
lobe 
image missing1. A major expansion or bulge, such as on the margin of a leaf, sepal, or petal, or on the surface of an ovary. 2. The free tips of otherwise fused structures, such as sepals or petals; larger than teeth.
and a thin, colorless submersed lobe]; upper surface of floating lobe 
papillate 
image missingPertaining to a surface (e.g., of a leaf, stigma, fruit) bearing small, rounded or conic protuberances (papillae).
or with short, inconspicuous hairs ..... AZOLLACEAE {G2}
2' Leaves 5–25 mm, appearing 
opposite 
image missing1. Arranged in pairs along an axis - e.g., two leaves per node. 2. Occurring in the same rank, directly above or below, as 'stamens opposite petals'. 3. Located directly across from.
[actually 2 floating leaves plus a 3rd submersed 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 dissected into root-like lobes]; upper surface of floating leaves conspicuously hairy ..... SALVINIACEAE {G2}
1' Plant anchored in soil or growing on another plant [if plant aquatic, rooted in bottom sediments]
3. Leaves 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
or scale- or needle-like, 
entire 
image missingHaving margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).
or toothed (sometimes divided into linear 
lobes 
image missing1. A major expansion or bulge, such as on the margin of a leaf, sepal, or petal, or on the surface of an ovary. 2. The free tips of otherwise fused structures, such as sepals or petals; larger than teeth.
in Asplenium septentrionale); veins generally 0 or 1 (–few in Asplenium septentrionale)
4. Leaves 
basal 
image missingAt or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.
, 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
5. Sporangia in 1 or more 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
 sori on abaxial 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
face ..... ASPLENIACEAE (Asplenium septentrionale)
5' Sporangia underground, each embedded in adaxial face of widened 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
base or several enclosed in hard, spheric 
sporangium 
image missingIn non-seed plants, a case or sac in which spores are produced, and from which they are released.
case near leaf base
6. Plant tufted, base corm-like; new leaves 
erect 
image missingUpright; vertically oriented.
, never coiled; 
sporangium 
image missingIn non-seed plants, a case or sac in which spores are produced, and from which they are released.
solitary, embedded in adaxial face of widened 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
base, ± covered by a translucent membrane ..... ISOETACEAE {G2}
6' Plant creeping by rhizomes; new leaves ± coiled, unrolling as they develop; sporangia several, enclosed in short-stalked, hard case attached near 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
base ..... MARSILEACEAE (Pilularia) {G2}
4' Leaves cauline, scale- or needle-like; sporangia in cone at tip of aerial shoot or in axils of distal leaves
7. Stem hollow, jointed at 
nodes 
image missingPosition on a stem from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.
; leaves 
whorled 
image missingArranged in groups of three or more at nodes or positions along an axis (e.g., three leaves per node).
, fused at base; sporangia several on undersides of 
peltate 
image missingWith the stalk attached toward the middle, not at a margin, of a flat structure such as an indusium, scale, or leaf.
structures that are clustered in terminal cone ..... EQUISETACEAE {G2}
7' Stem solid, not jointed; leaves 
alternate 
image missing1. Arranged singly, often spirally, along an axis - e.g., one leaf per node. 2. Occurring in different ranks, appearing to be between, not directly above or below, as 'stamens alternate petals'.
or 
opposite 
image missing1. Arranged in pairs along an axis - e.g., two leaves per node. 2. Occurring in the same rank, directly above or below, as 'stamens opposite petals'. 3. Located directly across from.
; sporangia in axils of distal scale-like leaves, the aggregation of fertile leaves sometimes cone-like
8. Fertile leaves not in well defined ranks, the aggregation appearing round when viewed along axis from tip; sporangia all of 1 kind, producing only 1 kind of spore ..... LYCOPODIACEAE
8' Fertile leaves 4-ranked, the aggregation appearing square when viewed along axis from tip; sporangia of 2 kinds, some with 4 large spores and others with many small spores ..... SELAGINELLACEAE
3' Leaves with well developed blades, not 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
or scale- or needle-like, often lobed or compound; veins many
9. Plant aquatic or in dried pools or creek beds; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 palmately compound, leaflets 4; sporangia borne underground or underwater, enclosed in short-stalked, hard case attached near 
petiole 
image missingLeaf stalk, connecting leaf blade to stem; sometimes more or less indistinct.
base ..... MARSILEACEAE (Marsilea) {G2}
9' Plant terrestrial or strongly emergent if in wet soil, or growing on another plant; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 
simple 
image missingComposed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.
or 1–4-pinnate, if compound, leaflets generally >> 4; sporangia borne on aerial portion of leaf
10. Leaf divided into dissimilar sterile (trophophore) and fertile (sporophore) parts; sterile part with an 
entire 
image missingHaving margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).
or 1–3-pinnate 
blade 
image missingExpanded portion of a leaf, petal, or other structure, generally flat but sometimes rolled, cylindric, wavy, or cupped.
; fertile part bladeless, sporangia borne in stalked cluster arising from 
petiole 
image missingLeaf stalk, connecting leaf blade to stem; sometimes more or less indistinct.
or blade base; new leaves never coiled ..... OPHIOGLOSSACEAE
10' Leaf not divided into dissimilar sterile and fertile parts; sporangia borne on underside of 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 
blade 
image missingExpanded portion of a leaf, petal, or other structure, generally flat but sometimes rolled, cylindric, wavy, or cupped.
, sometimes near margin; new leaves generally coiled, unrolling as they develop
11. Leaves of 2 dissimilar kinds, the fertile (sporangium-bearing) blades with greatly narrowed segments
12. Blade deeply pinnately lobed or 1-pinnate; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
generally > 30 cm ..... BLECHNACEAE (Struthiopteris)
12' Blade 2 or more × 
pinnate 
image missingFeather-like; pertaining to veins, lobes, leaflets, or other structures arranged in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane) along either side of an axis; a leaf is odd-pinnate if there is a terminal leaflet, even-pinnate if there is not, and either odd- or even-pinnate may be 1-pinnate (blade divided into primary leaflets), 2-pinnate (primary leaflets divided into secondary leaflets), 3-pinnate (secondary leaflets divided into tertiary leaflets), etc.
or divided; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
<= 30 cm ..... PTERIDACEAE (4)
11' Leaves all alike or nearly so, the fertile [sporangium-bearing] blades very similar in size and shape to sterile blades
13. Sori borne along or near margin of 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
; indusia 0 or sori covered by 
reflexed 
image missingAbruptly bent or curved downward or backward.
or 
recurved 
image missingGradually curved downward or backward.
leaf margin or leaf margin segment
14. Pinnae all 
entire 
image missingHaving margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).
or minutely toothed ..... PTERIDACEAE (4)
14' Pinnae [some or all of them] conspicuously toothed, lobed, or compound
15. Rhizome and base of 
petiole 
image missingLeaf stalk, connecting leaf blade to stem; sometimes more or less indistinct.
covered by hairs; 
rhizome 
image missing1. In seed plants, stem that is often elongate, more or less horizontal, usually underground; distinguished from roots by bearing of leaves, leaf scars, axillary buds, etc. 2. In ferns, stem that is located underground, embedded in leaf litter, on rocks or in rock crevices, or on trees or tree branches, often scaly or hairy; distinguished from roots by bearing of fronds (roots rarely bear fronds), and their greater diameter.
long-creeping; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
often > 80 cm, sometimes >= 2 m — 
blade 
image missingExpanded portion of a leaf, petal, or other structure, generally flat but sometimes rolled, cylindric, wavy, or cupped.
widely triangular, 2–4-pinnate ..... DENNSTAEDTIACEAE
15' Rhizome and base of 
petiole 
image missingLeaf stalk, connecting leaf blade to stem; sometimes more or less indistinct.
bearing 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
to 
ovate 
image missingEgg-shaped (i.e., widest below the middle) in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane), as a leaf.
 scales; 
rhizome 
image missing1. In seed plants, stem that is often elongate, more or less horizontal, usually underground; distinguished from roots by bearing of leaves, leaf scars, axillary buds, etc. 2. In ferns, stem that is located underground, embedded in leaf litter, on rocks or in rock crevices, or on trees or tree branches, often scaly or hairy; distinguished from roots by bearing of fronds (roots rarely bear fronds), and their greater diameter.
short and compact to long-creeping; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
generally < 80 cm, often much shorter ..... PTERIDACEAE (4)
13' Sori borne away from margin on underside of 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
or 
leaflet 
image missingA leaf-like unit of a compound leaf; distinguished from a leaf by the absence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; lacking lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (leaf 1-compound, with primary leaflets) or compound (leaf 2-compound, with primary and secondary leaflets; 3-compound, with primary, secondary, and tertiary leaflets, etc).
, or sporangia scattered along veins and not clustered into sori; indusia present or 0
16. Sporangia scattered along veins, not clustered into distinct sori; indusia 0 ..... PTERIDACEAE (4)
16' Sporangia clustered in distinct sori; indusia sometimes present
17. Indusia 0
18. Blade deeply pinnately lobed ..... POLYPODIACEAE
18' Blade 2–3-pinnate
19. Trunk present; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
>= 1 m; stipe not easily crushed, 
scale 
image missing1. Wide, appressed, membranous, epidermal outgrowth (e.g., Cheilanthes covillei) 2. Structure partially or entirely covering an over-wintering bud (bud scale) (e.g., Salix goodingii bud). 3. In gymnosperms, a woody, seed-bearing structure attached to the cone axis (cone scale) (e.g., Abies magnifica). 4. In Asteraceae, a flat, membranous pappus element (e.g., Hymenoxys hoopesii). Leaves or bracts may be scale-like in one or more of the preceding ways.
 margin with bristle-like teeth ..... CYATHEACEAE
19' Trunk 0; 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
< 1 m; stipe easily crushed, 
scale 
image missing1. Wide, appressed, membranous, epidermal outgrowth (e.g., Cheilanthes covillei) 2. Structure partially or entirely covering an over-wintering bud (bud scale) (e.g., Salix goodingii bud). 3. In gymnosperms, a woody, seed-bearing structure attached to the cone axis (cone scale) (e.g., Abies magnifica). 4. In Asteraceae, a flat, membranous pappus element (e.g., Hymenoxys hoopesii). Leaves or bracts may be scale-like in one or more of the preceding ways.
 margin ± 
entire 
image missingHaving margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).
, without bristle-like teeth ..... ATHYRIACEAE (Athyrium distentifolium var. americanum)
17' Indusia present
20. Sori 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
to 
oblong 
image missingLonger than wide, with nearly parallel sides; wider than linear.
or J-shaped
21. Veins of 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 segment forming a network; sori generally 2–4 mm, linear-oblong, end-to-end in rows parallel to midvein of leaf segment — leaves 1 
pinnate 
image missingFeather-like; pertaining to veins, lobes, leaflets, or other structures arranged in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane) along either side of an axis; a leaf is odd-pinnate if there is a terminal leaflet, even-pinnate if there is not, and either odd- or even-pinnate may be 1-pinnate (blade divided into primary leaflets), 2-pinnate (primary leaflets divided into secondary leaflets), 3-pinnate (secondary leaflets divided into tertiary leaflets), etc.
with deeply pinnately lobed pinnae ..... BLECHNACEAE (Woodwardia)
21' Veins of 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 segment free, minor veins extending to segment margin without rejoining; sori 0.5–15 mm, 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
, 
oblong 
image missingLonger than wide, with nearly parallel sides; wider than linear.
, J-shaped, or 
reniform 
image missingKidney-shaped; often pertaining to a leaf in which the blade base on both sides of the petiole is rounded and concave.
, not end-to-end in rows parallel to midvein of leaf segment
22. Leaf 3–30 cm, 1-pinnate with pinnae < 1.5 cm or 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 
simple 
image missingComposed of a single part; undivided; unbranched.
, 
linear 
image missingElongate, with nearly parallel sides; narrower than elliptic or oblong.
, undivided or 
forked 
image missingPertaining to a hair or other structure that branches into two parts.
..... ASPLENIACEAE
22' Leaf 20–200 cm, 1–2 
pinnate 
image missingFeather-like; pertaining to veins, lobes, leaflets, or other structures arranged in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane) along either side of an axis; a leaf is odd-pinnate if there is a terminal leaflet, even-pinnate if there is not, and either odd- or even-pinnate may be 1-pinnate (blade divided into primary leaflets), 2-pinnate (primary leaflets divided into secondary leaflets), 3-pinnate (secondary leaflets divided into tertiary leaflets), etc.
with pinnae generally 5–25 cm, toothed or pinnately lobed ..... ATHYRIACEAE (Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum)
20' Sori ± round
23. Blade with 1-celled, clear, needle-like hairs ..... THELYPTERIDACEAE
23' Blade without needle-like hairs
24. Indusium 
peltate 
image missingWith the stalk attached toward the middle, not at a margin, of a flat structure such as an indusium, scale, or leaf.
or round-reniform, attached ± in center of 
sorus 
image missingIn many ferns, a distinct cluster of sporangia.
, generally present and readily observable in late-season specimens ..... DRYOPTERIDACEAE
24' Indusium attached to one side of 
sorus 
image missingIn many ferns, a distinct cluster of sporangia.
(hood-like) or attached beneath sorus and often of hair- or scale-like fragments or 
lobes 
image missing1. A major expansion or bulge, such as on the margin of a leaf, sepal, or petal, or on the surface of an ovary. 2. The free tips of otherwise fused structures, such as sepals or petals; larger than teeth.
, generally delicate, often difficult to observe in late-season specimens
25. Indusium attached to one side of 
sorus 
image missingIn many ferns, a distinct cluster of sporangia.
and arching over it, hood-like; veins not expanded at tip, extending to 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 margin ..... CYSTOPTERIDACEAE
25' Indusium of hair- or strap-like segments reaching over 
sorus 
image missingIn many ferns, a distinct cluster of sporangia.
from below; veins expanded at tip, ending before 
leaf 
image missingOrgan arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).
 margin ..... WOODSIACEAE

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