Gary Fewless
Key to the Ferns
| 6. Fertile and sterile blades conspicuously
long tapered to the base, lowest pinnae ¼ or less the length of
the longest pinnae; sterile frond broadest above the middle; fertile frond
tough and persistent, often remaining through winter. |
Matteuccia struthiopteris |
| 6. Fertile fronds usually broadest at the base
of the blade and sterile fronds only slightly narrowed at the base, lowest
pinnae ½ or more the length of the longest pinnae; fertile frond
fragile and shriveling soon after spores are released in early summer. |
Osmunda cinnamomea |
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