Those segments of the blade on the upper side of the pinna rachis, facing the apex of the frond

Fused, usually laterally, to an unlike structure, as blade to rachis

The formation of a sporophyte from a gametophyte by asexual means such as budding, rather than by egg formation; also refereed to as apomitic although this term covers a broader meaning.

Tapering to a narrow elongate apex or spike.

Bearing one or two auricles

A low, basal lobe

Those segments on the lower side of the pinnae rachis, facing the base of the frond.

Pinnae divided two times

The expanded leafy portion of a frond not including the stipe.

An asexual bud occurring on the main or secondary rachis capable of forming a new plant before or after being detached from the parent.

Bearing a narrow, elongate tail

The central crown or upright rhizome of a fern.

Rachis shortened so that the pinnules overlap like shingles on a roof; associated with dwarf forms. See IMBRICATE

Fused, usually laterally, to a similar structure, as one pinna to another

Having the margins waved or curled.

When the pinnae or pinnules are divided into one or more terminal divisions from the normal form.

Extending horizontally in or on the soil

Shallowly scalloped, with rounded teeth

Young uncoiling frond; fiddlehead.

Rather abruptly constricted at the apex to a narrow, sharp-pointed tip

Broadly triangular with an obtuse apex

Having missing or defective parts; as in the linearis section

Having two distinct shapes; in ferns this usually refers to sterile versus fertile blades or portions of blades.

Having the outline of an elongate circle

Much longer than wide

Sickle-shaped; curved and flat.

A white, yellow, or other colored , waxy appearing exudates of glands; in ferns especially in the desert or xeric ferns.

Having sporangia and producing viable spores.

Young uncoiling frond; fiddlehead.

fringed; dissected into fine segments.

A fern leaf including the stipe and the blade.

Having a much divided terminal crest; capitate.

Rachis shortened so that the pinnules nearly overlap one another; associated with dwarf forms

Deeply and irregularly cleft on the margin

Shaped like a lance or spear-head, as of leaves tapering at both ends, much longer than broad, and wider below the middle.

A portion of a balde, pinna, or pinnule, or segement, that is fully connate and with a shallow sinus on either side that extends no more thanhalf way from the lobe apex to the axis that the lobe is attached to

Having a margin with a distinctive fringed or cut character.

All tips crested including the pinnules; crests on crests.

Primary division of a compound blade.

Divided simply with the pinnae arranged on either side of the rachis.

Divided into lobes, with the clefts reaching halfway or more but not completely to the supporting rachis.

A division of a pinna; ultimate segment.

Midrib of a blade; continuation of the stipe through the blade.

A dorsiventral stem of a root-like appearance which produces fronds above and roots below; usually creeping although in some ferns it forms a clump holding the fronds close together, and in others it is short, thick and upright; a caudex, producing a tufted appearance.

A membranous chaffy hair found on the rhizome, stipe and occasionally on the blade surface.

Toothed; having margins notched like a saw.

Having bristly straight hairs

Arrangement or cluster of spore cases.

A small stalked capsule in which spores grow; the spore case.

A minute asexual body.

Leaf stalk of a fern excluding the leafy portion.

Pinnae divided three times

A strand of vascular tissue in a frond or part of a frond that conducts water and nutrients and strengthens the structure.