AN ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE

FERNS AND FERN ALLIES

(PTERIDOPHYTA) OF ALBERTA

Compiled and written by

Linda Kershaw & Lorna Allen

April 2019

© Linda J. Kershaw & Lorna Allen

This key was compiled using information primarily from Moss (1983), Packer &
Gould (2018), Douglas et. al. (2000) and the Flora of North America (2008-2010).
Taxonomy follows VASCAN (Brouillet, 2015). Please let us know if there are ways in
which the key can be improved. The families are arranged systematically.
The 2017 S-ranks of rare species (S1; S1S2; S2; S2S3; SU, according to ACIMS,
2017) are noted in superscript (S1;S2;SU) after the species names. For more details,
go to the ACIMS web site.
 PTERIDOPHYTA
Ferns & Fern Allies
Key to Families
01a Leaves simple, stalkless, grass-like or scale-like,
1-2 mm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02
01b Leaves (fronds) usually lobed or divided, with
stalks (stipes), variously shaped, ≥5 mm wide . 05

2a 02a Leaves onion-like, basal and slender with wide,

sheathing bases, 5-15 cm long; stems thick, short
and inconspicuous (covered by leaf bases); spore
cases (sporangia) embedded in the upper/inner
side of the leaf base . . . . . . . . . Isoetaceae (p. 10)
02b Leaves scale-like, <1.5 cm long; stems slender and
conspicuous; spore cases in cones (cone scales
sometimes resembling leaves) or in the axils of
stem leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03
03a Stems usually hollow, conspicuously jointed;
leaves scale-like, in sheath-like rings (whorls) at
3a stem joints; spore cases on the underside of flat,
round, umbrella-like scales in cones at stem tips .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Equisetaceae (p. 11)
03b Stems solid, not jointed; leaves strap-like, spirally
arranged or paired (opposite); spore cases in the
4a axils of triangular to strap-like cone scales or in leaf
axils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04
04a Plants 5-25 cm tall; leaves mostly strap-like or awl-
shaped, 5-10 mm long (triangular to lance-shaped
and 2-4 mm long in Diphasiastrum); cones (when
4b present) cylindrical; spores all similar . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lycopodiaceae (p. 7)
04b Plants 1-5(7) cm tall; leaves lance-shaped, 1-4 mm
long; cones usually ± 4-sided/angled; spores of 2
types (small and large) . . . . Selaginellaceae (p. 9)
05a In colonies from spreading rootstocks in ponds
and lake edges; leaves with 4 leaflets at the tip of a
long stalk (like a four-leaved clover), often floating
in water; spores in a hard, bean-like structures
5a (sporocarps) on a short stalk (often hidden among
the leaves) . . . . Marsileaceae - Marsilea vestita
05b Plants and leaves not as above; spores in spore
cases on green or modified leaves . . . . . . . . . . . 06
6a 06a Spore cases 1-1.5 mm wide, in grape-like clusters
on specialized, fertile leaves; sterile leaves below
fertile blades on same stalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ophioglossaceae (p. 13)
06b Spore cases tiny (<1 mm wide), in dot-like clusters
(sori) on the lower surface or along edges of green
leaves or specialized fertile leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .[Ferns - Polypodiaceae of Moss, 1983] 07
7a
07a Leaves of 2 distinctly different types: green,
without spore cases (sterile) and brown (when
mature), with spore cases (fertile) . . . . . . . . . . . 08
07b Leaves all similar, not of 2 distinct types (except
Pellaea gastonyi, with fertile leaves distinctly
7b longer than sterile leaves) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09

4
 08a Plants ≤20 cm tall, in small clumps, on rocky sites
in the mountains or neAB (Canadian Shield); fertile
leaves longer than sterile leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .Pteridaceae (in part) - Cryptogramma (p. 17)
08b Plants 50-150 cm tall, forming colonies from coarse
rhizomes, on moist sites in the boreal forest; fertile
leaves shorter than sterile leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Onocleaceae [Dryopteridaceae, in part]
8b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matteuccia struthiopteris
8a
09a Spore clusters on the leaf edges, usually under
down-rolled margins, elongated . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
09b Spore clusters set in from the leaf edges (if near
the edge, then round) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

10a Spore clusters under down-rolled leaf edges,

kidney shaped, separate (not in a continuous
strip); leaf segments fan-shaped . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pteridaceae (in part) (p. 17)
. . . . . Adiantum aleuticum [Adiantum pedatum]
10b Spore clusters in a continuous strip along the leaf
edge; leaf segments not fan-shaped . . . . . . . . . 11
11a 11a Plants 30-300 cm tall; leaves 2X pinnately divided,
± triangular, 20-60 cm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . Dennstaedtiaceae - Pteridium aquilinum
11b Plants mostly <30 cm tall; leaves 1-2X pinnately
divided, <10 cm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pteridaceae (in part) Myriopteris; Pellaea (p. 17)
11b
12a Leaves 1X pinnately divided, lobed or smooth-
13a
edged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12b Leaves 2-4X pinnately divided . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
13a Leaflets (pinnae) lobed, egg-shaped, 3-7 x 2-5 mm;
leaves 5-10(15) cm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aspleniaceae - Asplenium viride
. . . . . . . . . . .[Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum]
13b Leaflets smooth-edged or toothed, narrowly
oblong to lance-shaped, >10 mm long; leaves
(5)10-40 cm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

14a
14a Leaflets rounded at the tip, smooth-edged
(without spines) . . . . . . . . . Polypodiaceae (p. 16)
14b Leaflets pointed at the tip, edged with spines . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Dryopteridaceae (in part) (p. 21)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Polystichum lonchitis
15a Leaf stalks (1)1.5-2(3) times as long as the blades;
leaves divided into 3 ± equal parts, with each of
the 2 lowest leaflets ≈ the remaining upper part of
the leaf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cystopteridaceae (p. 19)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Dryopteridaceae, in part]
15b Leaf stalks usually much <2 times the length of the
blade; lowest pair of leaflets gradually reduced
upwards (not much larger than those above) . . 16

14b 15a

5
 16a Small tufted plants, mostly <20 cm tall; short-
creeping scaly rhizomes bear small tufts to dense
tussocks of leaves; lower leaflets somewhat
remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
16b Larger plants, generally >20 cm tall; plants tufted
or in small scattered tufts or single leaves; lower
→

leaflets not remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

17a Leaf stalk bases persistent after blades are shed;

indusium disc- or star-shaped (→), attached under
17b
→
and obscured by spore clusters . . . .Woodsiaceae
17a . . . . [Dryopteridaceae, in part] - Woodsia (p. 20)
17b Leaf stalk bases disintegrating when blades are
18a
shed; indusium hood-like (→), attached at the side
and curved up over the spore clusters. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .Cystopteridaceae [Dryopteridaceae, in part]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cystopteris (p. 19)

18a Lowest pair of leaflets pointing downwards; lower

leaf surface with conspicuous, nearly transparent
hairs on the veins and midrib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .Thelypteridaceae - Phegopteris connectilis
18b Leaves not as above. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
19a
19a Indusia often absent, when present elongated,
flap-like (attached along 1 edge) and fringed or
toothed . . . . . . . . . Athyriaceae (p. 18) - Athyrium
19b Indusia present (sometimes small and soon
shrivelling) rounded or kidney-shaped, attached in
the hollow of the inner side, not fringed . . . . . . . .
. . Dryopteridaceae (in part) (p. 21) - Dryopteris

19b

6
 LYCOPODIACEAE
Clubmoss Family
Key to Genera
01a Stems clumped, without horizontal runners
(rootstocks); spore clusters (sporangia) in the
axils of unmodified leaves scattered along
the length of the stem, not in cones (strobili);
spores pitted or grooved; tiny sexual plants
(gemmae) often present among the upper
leaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Huperzia
01b Stems spread along horizontal runners;
spore clusters in the axils of small, modified,
leaves (sporophylls) in cones (strobili); spores
wrinkled or with net-like ridges; gemmae
absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
02a Cones (strobili) erect, on stalks with closely
2a spaced, normal-sized leaves; spores wrinkled;
1a
plants in wetlands . . .Lycopodiella inundata
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Lycopodium inundatum]
02b Cones with or without stalks, the stalks (when
present) with tiny, widely spaced leaves;
spores with net-like ridges; plants mainly in dry
uplands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .03
03a Uppermost shoots (including leaves) 2-6 mm
across, 4-sided to flattened (rounded in D.
sitchense); leaves mostly in 4-5 vertical rows,
overlapping (except in D. sitchense); cone
3a stalks (if present) branched in 2s . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diphasiastrum
03b Uppermost shoots (including leaves) 5-12
mm across, rounded; leaves in ≥6 vertical
rows (ranks), not overlapping; cone stalks (if
present) alternately branched, appearing to
have 1 main branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .04
4b 4a
04a Erect stems few to many branched, tree-like;
trailing stems below ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Dendrolycopodium dendroideum
. . . . . . . . . . . . [Lycopodium dendroideum
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lycopodium obscurum]
04b Erect stems simple or few-branched; trailing
stems above ground . . . . . . . . . Lycopodium

7
 DIPHASIASTRUM Groundcedar
→

01a Plants strongly flattened, (10)15-35 cm tall;

cones on 1-8 cm stalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Diphasiastrum complanatum
2b . . . . . . . . . . . .[Lycopodium complanatum]
01b Plants cylindrical or 4-sided, 5-10(15) cm tall;
cones without stalks (rarely with stalks ≤1 cm
long) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
1a
2a 02a Leaves all ± the same shape; stems
cylindrical . . . . . . Diphasiastrum sitchense
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Lycopodium sitchense]
02b Leaves of 1 row different from the others,
shaped like a bricklayer’s trowel (→); stems
4-sided . . . . . . . . . . Diphasiastrum alpinum
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Lycopodium alpinum]

-----------------------

1a
HUPERZIA Firmoss
01a Largest leaves lance-shaped and widest
above mid-leaf; shoots 12-20 cm tall; mainly in
shaded forests near streams . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Huperzia occidentalis S2
01b Largest leaves lance-shaped and widest
below mid-leaf or with sides ± parallel; shoots
mostly 8-15 cm tall; mainly on rocky cliffs and
2a talus slopes, sometimes in open (non-treed)
wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
02a Shoots with annual constrictions; tiny sexual
plantlets (gemmae) in 1 pseudo-whorl at the
2b stem tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Huperzia selago
. . . . . . . . . . . [Lycopodium selago, in part]
02b Shoots without annual constrictions; gemmae
in 1-3 pseudo-whorls at the stem tips or
scattered throughout mature shoots . . . . . . . .
Huperzia continentalis [Huperzia haleakalae
. . . . . . . . . . . .Lycopodium selago, in part]
-----------------------

1a

LYCOPODIUM Clubmoss
01a Leaves tipped with a white, 1-4 mm long hair;
cones on long stalks . .Lycopodium lagopus
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Lycopodium clavatum]
01b Leaves without hair tips; cones ± stalkless . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lycopodium annotinum

1b

8
 SELAGINELLACEAE
Spikemoss Family
SELAGINELLA Spikemoss
1a Plants forming small mats; leaves lance-
shaped, soft and fleshy, shed by autumn,
well-spaced, edged with a small spines but
no bristle-tip; cones (strobili) conspicuous, ±
cylindrical . . . . . . . Selaginella selaginoides
01b Plants tufted or sprawling and forming large
mats; leaves narrowly Iance-shaped, stiff,
persisting through winter, crowded, edged with
tiny hairs and bristle-tipped; cones relatively
inconspicuous, 4-angled/sided . . . . . . . . . .02
02a Leaves in rings (whorls) of 4, tipped with a
0.2-0.45 mm bristle, abruptly attached to the
stem (rarely slightly extended down the stem),
different in color from the stem (seen when
leaves are detached); stems loosely branched;
cones 10-45 mm long, often paired; Waterton
Lakes NP . . . . . . . . . Selaginella wallacei S1
02b Leaves in rings of (4)5-6, tipped with a 0.5-2
mm bristle, with lower edges extending down
1a the stem (decurrent; remnants of the bases
2a
left when leaves are detached), similar in color
to the stem; stems densely branched; cones
2-30 mm long, single . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .03
03a Main stems usually radially symmetric with
leaves; leaf bases symmetric, wedge-shaped;
ne ¼ of AB . . . . . . . . . Selaginella rupestris
03b Main stems with slightly different upper and
3a lower sides, the upper leaves smaller than the
lower leaves; leaf bases asymmetric, attached
to the stem at an angle; s ½ of AB . . . . . . .04
04a Leaves tipped with a conspicuous, (1)1.25-1.9
mm long, hairy bristle; leaves usually edged
with 0.1-0.2 mm hairs (cilia); spore-bearing
leaves (sporophylls) fringed with hairs for their
entire length . . . . . . . . . . .Selaginella densa
4a 04b Leaves tipped with a tiny, 0.4-1.25 mm long,
smooth or slightly hairy bristle; leaves edged
with 0.02-0.07(0.15) mm hairs; spore-bearing
leaves toothed or fringed for part (not all) of
their length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .05
05a Spore-bearing leaves triangular-egg-shaped,
keeled at tip and abruptly squared at base (in
profile), upper 3/4 edged with short hairs or
teeth; bristle usually yellowish; alpine habitats
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selaginella standleyi
. . . . . . . [Selaginella densa var. standleyi]
05b Spore-bearing leaves narrow egg-shaped to
5a
lance-shaped, gradually tapered or slightly
keeled at the tip, not squared at the base (in
profile), edged with short hairs or teeth on
the lower 1/2 but hairless near the tip; bristle
5b usually whitish transparent (rarely yellowish on
old leaves); low elevation to alpine habitats . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selaginella scopulorum
. . . . . [Selaginella densa var. scopulorum]

9
 ISOETACEAE Quillwort Family
ISOETES [ISOËTES] Quillwort
01a Leaves stiff, persisting for >1 year (evergreen),
dark green; spore-cluster (sporangium) wall
unpigmented; megaspores (0.4)0.5-0.7 mm,
with rough spines or sharp ridges but smooth
on the middle ridge (girdle); microspores
smooth or warty; Pyramid L, Jasper NP . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isoetes occidentalis S1
01b Leaves soft or stiff, shed each year (deciduous),
bright green (sometimes red-tinged); spore-
cluster (sporangium) wall brown streaked;
spores various . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02

02a Megaspores 0.3-0.4(0.5) mm, with low warts

or short crests and an obscure middle ridge
(girdle); microspores finely spiny; alpine lakes
1a
in Waterton Lakes NP . . lsoetes bolanderi S1
02b Megaspores 0.4-0.7 mm, densely spiny/warty;
microspores smooth or warty . . . . . . . . . . .03
03a Plants not self-supporting out of water, flaccid/
pliant; megaspores 0.4-0.55 mm, with long,
2a thin spines that are all similar; microspores
smooth; neAB and Cameron Hills. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lsoetes echinospora S2
03b Plants self-supporting out of water, rigid/stiff;
megaspores (0.4)0.5-0.6 mm, covered in short
spines that become shorter and denser around
the middle ridge; microspores spiny; Pyramid
L Jasper NP . . . . . . . . . Isoetes maritima S1

3a

3b

10
 EQUISETACEAE
Horsetail Family
EQUISETUM Horsetail
01a Stems unbranched (sometimes with a few
random branchlets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
01b Stems with successive rings (whorls) of
branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
02a Stems (20)30-100(120) cm tall, 3-8 mm wide,
with (12)15-40 ridges; sheaths 4-10 x 4-10 mm
usually >4.0 mm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .03
02b Stems 10-30(60) cm tall, 1-3(4) mm wide, with
3-15(18) ridges; sheaths various 4-9 x 2-5
mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .05

03a Stems soft, readily flattened; teeth present on

all sheaths, brownish black, sometimes with
1a 1b a narrow, semi-transparent edge; cone tips
rounded. . . . . Equisetum fluviatile (in part)
03b Stems stiff, not easily flattened; teeth missing
from many/all sheaths, when present dry, thin
and semi-transparent throughout or in a broad
band along the edges; cone tips round or
pointed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .04
04a Cone tips tapered to a sharp, slender point;
sheaths cylindrical, almost as wide as tall,
2a 2b 3a usually with 2 continuous black bands, and
a greyish white band between, with some
persistent teeth . . . . . . . Equisetum hyemale
04b Cone tips rounded; sheaths somewhat funnel-
shaped, taller than wide, mostly green with 1
black band (often as a row of dots), with short-
lived (deciduous) teeth (except on sheaths
near the cones) . . . . .Equisetum laevigatum

05a Stems firm, evergreen; cones tipped with a

sharp point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .06
05b Stems soft, dying back at the end of summer;
cone tips rounded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .07

4a 4b 06a Stems 0.5-1 mm wide, much bent/zigzagged;

sheaths with 3 teeth . Equisetum scirpoides
06b Stems 1-2(3) mm wide, straight or slightly
curved; sheaths with >3 teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum variegatum

6a
6b

11
 07a Stems green . . Equisetum palustre (in part)
07b Stems not green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08

08a Stem sheath teeth reddish, papery, joined in

3-4 large groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Equisetum sylvaticum (in part)
08b Stem sheath teeth black or brown, firm,
separate or joined in >4 small groups. . . . .09

7a 8a
09a Stem sheaths (2)3-6 mm wide at the mouth,
their teeth separate with narrow midveins and
broad semi-transparent edges; stems with
pores (stomata), eventually becoming green
and branched, persisting through the summer
. . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum pratense (in part)
09b Stem sheaths (3)5-10 mm wide at the mouth,
their teeth often joined and with broad midveins
9a and scarcely paler edges; upper sheaths
without bud-like outgrowths; stems without
stomata, never branching, soon withering . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum arvense (in part)
10a Branches branched again; stem sheaths
9b green below, reddish brown above, with teeth
joined in 3-4 broad papery lobes . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Equisetum sylvaticum (in part)
10b Branches simple/unbranched; stem sheaths
not as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

10a 11a Lower branches with basal segments (→)

longer than the adjacent stem sheath (in
length); plants never bearing cones . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum arvense (in part)
11b Lower branches with basal segments (→)
equalling or shorter than the adjacent stem
11a sheath; plants often bearing cones . . . . . . .12

→12a Branch sheaths 3-toothed; branches solid . . .

→

. . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum pratense (in part)

12b Branch sheaths 4- to 6-toothed; branches
11b;
12b hollow, with a central cavity . . . . . . . . . . . .13

13a Stem sheaths 6- to 8-toothed; central cavity of

branches very small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum palustre (in part)
13b Stem sheaths 10- to 30-toothed; central cavity
of branches large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Equisetum fluviatile (in part)

12a

13a 13b

12
 OPHIOGLOSSACEAE
Addertongue Family
Key to Genera
01a Leaf blades 0-2X pinnately divided, mostly
oblong to lance-shaped, 2-10(20) cm long . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Botrychium
01b Leaf blades 3-5X pinnately divided, broadly
triangular, (5)12-25 cm long . . . . . . . . . . . .02

02a Leaf blade (trophophore) thin, herbaceous,

dying back in autumn, joined to the spore-
bearing branch (sporophore) well above
ground on a common stalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Botrypus virginianus
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Botrychium virginianum]
02b Leaf blade thick, leathery, persisting through
winter (evergreen), joined to the spore-bearing
1a branch at ground level, without a noticeable
common stalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sceptridium

2a

BOTRYCHIUM Moonwort
01a Plants with 2 spore-bearing blades, leafy
(vegetative) blade absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
01b Plants with 1 leafy blade (rarely with spores on
lowest lobes) and 1 spore-bearing blade . .03
2b
02a Spore-bearing blades <10(15) cm tall, ± equal
----------------------- in height and without flattened segments;
Waterton Lakes NP and Cypress Hills . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Botrychium paradoxum S1
02b Spore-bearing blades mostly 10-20 cm tall, of
unequal heights and with flattened segments
2b bearing spore clusters along the edges;
endemic to Waterton Lakes NP. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Botrychium x watertonense S1
2a
03a Leaf blade 2X pinnately divided/lobed . . . .04
03b Leaf blade undivided (entire) or 1X pinnately
divided . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

04a Leaf blade triangular, divided into 3 main parts;

leaflets and sub-leaflets (pinnules) long and
narrow . . . . . . . . . .Botrychium lanceolatum
04b Leaf blade egg-shaped to oblong, with 1 main
axis; leaflets and sub-leaflets triangular to long
and narrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .05
4a 05a Leaf blade tipped with a distinctively broad
lobe; lowest leaflets pinnately lobed but upper
leaflets not lobed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Botrychium simplex S2 (in part)
05b Leaf blade without a distinctively broad lobe
at the tip; lower and upper leaflets usually
5a pinnately lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .06

13
 06a Leaf blade 2-4X as long as its stalk; lowermost
leaflets sometimes with spore clusters;
Waterton Lakes NP and Cypress Hills . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Botrychium pedunculosum S1
06b Leaf blade >4X as long as its stalk; leaflets
rarely with spore clusters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .07
07a Leaflets many-lobed, at ±90˚ to the main
stem; lowest leaflets symmetrical, without
exaggerated lower lobes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Botrychium pinnatum
7a 07b Leaflets few-lobed, angled upwards at <90˚
to the stem; lowest leaflets asymmetrical with
6a 8a exaggerated lower lobes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08
08a Lowest leaflet pair distinctly larger than the
upper pairs . Botrychium ‘michiganense’ SU
08b Lowest leaflet pair = or only slightly larger than
the upper pairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .09
09a Leaflets triangular-egg-shaped; basal leaflet
pair elongated . . . . . Botrychium hesperium
09b Leaflets oblong; basal leaflets not elongated;
neAB . . . . . .Botrychium matricariifolium S1
10a Leaflets broad, overlapping, semi-circular,
occasionally lobed but not conspicuously
scalloped (sometimes slightly scalloped in
young plants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
10b Leaflets separate (occasionally overlapping), if
9b semi-circular then conspicuously scalloped 12
9a
11a Spore-bearing blade with a stalk ≤ the fertile
portion and with wide-spreading branches;
leaf blade narrowly triangular to egg-shaped;
lowest leaflets usually stalked and longer than
the next pair . . . . . . . . . Botrychium lunaria
. . . . . . . . . . . .[Botrychium lunaria, in part]
11b Leaf blade oblong to narrowly egg-shaped;
lowest leaflets not stalked, not > the next
pair; spore-bearing blade with stalks longer
than the fertile portion and branches strongly
angled upwards . . . Botrychium neolunaria
. . . . . . . . . . . .[Botrychium lunaria, in part]
11a 11b 12a Leaflets oblong to weakly fan-shaped, mostly
lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
12b Leaflets fan-shaped, smooth edged to
scalloped (occasionally with some lobed). .14

13a Central axis/stalk of leaf blade (rachis) wide,

up to 1/3 of the blade width; leaflets diamond-
shaped to weakly fan-shaped, shallowly to
deeply lobed . . . . . . Botrychium campestre
13b Central axis/stalk of leaf blade not noticeably
wide; leaflets slender with ± parallel sides,
usually deeply lobed; 2 disjunct locations in sw
and ecAB . . . . . . . . . Botrychium lineare S1
13b
14a Leaflets scalloped or toothed . . . . . . . . . . .15
14b Leaflets smooth edged, occasionally lobed but
13a not scalloped or toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

14
 15a Leaflets narrowly fan-shaped, both edges
strongly angled towards the leaf tip, usually
clearly toothed or torn; lowest leaflets often
with spore clusters . Botrychium ascendens
15b Leaflets broadly fan-shaped to ± circular,
edges spreading to weakly angled upwards,
shallowly scalloped (usually) to ± toothed;
lowest leaflets without spore clusters . . . . . . .
Botrychium crenulatum [Botrychium dusenii]

16a Leaflets ± round, no abrupt change in angle

between sides and tip; stalk of mature spore-
15a bearing blade longer than the leafy blade;
15b
lowest branches of spore cluster ± spreading,
twisted so sporangia point out/down; Conklin,
16a Banff, Jasper areas. .Botrychium tunux S1S2
16b Leaflets ± fan-shaped, with an abrupt change
in angle between the sides and tip; stalk of the
mature spore-bearing blade usually shorter
than the leafy blade; lowest branches and
distribution not as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
17a Leaf blades single or occasionally ≥2, tipped
with a distinctively broad lobe (unlobed when
17a young); leaflets often overlapping . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Botrychium simplex S2 (in part)
17b Leafy blades single, not tipped with a broad
lobe; leaflets rarely overlapping . . . . . . . . .18
18a Leaf blade triangular-egg-shaped, stalkless
18a to short-stalked; spore-bearing blade 2X
pinnately divided, 1X as long as the leafy
(sterile) blade . . . Botrychium spathulatum
18b Leafy blade oblong, clearly stalked; spore-
bearing blade 1X pinnately divided, 1.2-4X as
long as the leafy blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
19a Leaflets bluish green with a pale waxy coating,
shallowly lobed, the lowest pair uneven; spore-
bearing blade 1.5-4X as long as the leaf blade,
with a stalk ≤3/4 the length of the leaf blade;
spore-bearing branches angled upwards,
overlapping, mature in late July . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Botrychium pallidum S2
19b Leaflets dull green, without a waxy coating,
smooth edged to shallowly scalloped, the
19a
19b lowest pair ± even; spore-bearing blade 1.5-
----------------------- 2.2X as long as the leaf blade, with a stalk
≥ the length of the leaf blade; spore-bearing
branches spreading, not overlapping, mature
in late August . . . .Botrychium minganense

SCEPTRIDIUM Grapefern
01a Leaflets undivided on the upper 1/4-1/2, the
uppermost leaflet much larger than the side
leaflets; neAB . . . . . Sceptridium oneidense
. . . . . . . . . . . . . [Botrychium oneidense] S1
01b Leaflets all divided to the tip, the uppermost
leaflet equaling or slightly larger than the side
leaflets . . . . . . . . . .Sceptridium multifidum
1a 1b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Botrychium multifidum]

15
 POLYPODIACEAE
Polypody Family
POLYPODIUM Polypody
01a Spore dots (sori) without hair-like structures
1a (paraphyses/sporangiasters) beneath the
spores; rootstock scales usually smooth-
edged and symmetric; extreme swAB . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Polypodium hesperium S1
01b Spore dots with numerous, dark, hair-like
structures beneath the spores; rootstock
scales usually coarse-toothed and twisted
near the tip; ne and nwAB . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
02a Rootstock scales light brown or strongly two-
2a colored; leaves (3.5)4-7 cm wide; hair-like
structures in spore dots mostly tipped with
glands; Canadian Shield, neAB . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .Polypodium virginianum S1
02b Rootstock scales uniformly dark brown or
with obscurely lighter edges; leaves 1-4 cm
2b wide; hair-like structures in spore dots mostly
without glands; Canadian Shield and Boreal
Forest in neAB . . . . . Polypodium sibiricum

16
 PTERIDACEAE
Maidenhair Family
Key to Genera
1a Spores borne under down-rolled edges of
distinct leaf lobes; leaflet veins prominent,
branching in 2s, ± parallel near their tips;
1a Crowsnest Pass to Waterton Lakes NP . . . . .
Adiantum aleuticum S2 [Adiantum pedatum]
01b Spores on lower leaf surfaces or on smooth
(not lobed) edges; leaflet veins obscure
(usually), pinnately branched, not parallel .02
2a
02a Leaves of 2 types (dimorphic); fertile leaves
larger, with narrow leaflets and down-rolled
edges; sterile leaves with flat edges; upper
leaf stalks green to straw-colored, ± hairless;
3a mature spores usually yellow Cryptogramma
02b Leaves all similar (monomorphic); upper leaf
stalks brown/black, if paler, then hairy; mature
3b spores brown/black (rarely yellow) . . . . . . .03
----------------------- 03a Leaves hairless beneath; upper leaflets ≥5 mm
long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pellaea
03b Leaves densely woolly beneath; upper leaflets
<5 mm long . . . . . Myriopteris [Cheilanthes]

CRYPTOGRAMMA Rockbrake
01a Leaves densely tufted, from short rootstocks;
sterile leaves firm, persisting over winter; leaf
stalk bases pale, with many reddish-brown
scales ≈ 3 mm long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1b
. . . . . . . . . .Cryptogramma acrostichoides
1a 01b Leaves scattered along slender, creeping
rootstocks; sterile leaves delicate, dying and
----------------------- shed each fall; leaf stalk bases reddish-brown,
with a few golden scales ≈ 2 mm long . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cryptogramma stelleri

MYRIOPTERIS [CHEILANTHES] Lipfern

01a Leaf-blades with strap-shaped scales ≤0.1-0.4 mm
wide on underside of central stalk and midveins;
Waterton Lakes NP . . . .Myriopteris gracillima S1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Cheilanthes gracillima]
01b Leaf-blades with conspicuous, ≤0.4-1.5 mm wide,
lance- to egg-shaped scales (do not confuse
dehisced spore clusters with scales) . . . . . . . . . . .
1a 1b . . . .Myriopteris gracilis [Cheilanthes feei]
-----------------------
PELLAEA Cliffbrake
1b 01a Leaves sparsely woolly beneath near midvein,
of 2 types, with fertile leaves much longer than
the sterile leaves; leaf stalks purplish black,
long-woolly; primarily front ranges, Banff NP .
Pellaea gastonyi S2 [Pellaea atropurpurea]
01b Leaves ± hairless beneath (sometimes a few
hair-like scales near midrib), all similar with
brownish, ± hairless stalks . Pellaea glabella
1a

17
 ATHYRIACEAE
[DRYOPTERIDACEAE, in part]
1a Ladyfern Family
ATHYRIUM Ladyfern
01a Spore dots (sori) elongate or hooked, midway
between the leaf edge and midvein; indusia
well-developed; leaves (fronds) diamond-
shaped to lance-shaped, widest above mid-
leaf, (18)25-90(110) x(6)10-30 cm; lowland
1b plants of wooded/shrubby sites . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Athyrium filix-femina
01b Spore dots round, near the leaf edge; indusia
absent (usually) or tiny; leaves narrowly
diamond-shaped to nearly linear, 15-30 x 3-5
cm; alpine plants, Waterton Lakes NP . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Athyrium distentifolium S1
[Athyrium alpestre ; Athyrium americanum]

18
 CYSTOPTERIDACEAE
[DRYOPTERIDACEAE, in part]
Bladderfern Family
Key to Genera
01a Indusia present, attached to the side and
arching over the spores; leaves saw-toothed .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cystopteris
01b Indusia absent; spore clusters round; leaves
smooth-edged or scalloped Gymnocarpium
1a
1b
CYSTOPTERIS Bladderfern
01a Leaves tufted, from thick, unbranched
----------------------- rootstocks; leaf stalks shorter than the blades;
leaf blades lance-shaped, 2-3 times longer
than wide . . . . . . . . . . . Cystopteris fragilis
01b Leaves scattered along slender, branched
rootstocks; leaf stalks longer than the blades;
leaf blades triangular, length ≈ width . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cystopteris montana

GYMNOCARPIUM Oakfern
1b
1a 01a Leaves stiff, glandular beneath; 2 lower
----------------------- leaflets (pinnae) ±1/2 as long as the rest of the
leaf; leaf stalk and central axis (rachis) dull,
glandular . . Gymnocarpium continentale S2
1a . . . . . . . . . . . . [Gymnocarpium jessoense]
01b Leaves delicate, not glandular beneath; 2
lower leaflets ± as long as the rest of the leaf;
leaf stalk and central axis lustrous, ± without
glands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02

02a Leaf blades 3-14 cm long; lowest sub-leaflets

of the 2 lower leaflets mostly stalkless and
± equal in length, smooth-edged to slightly
scalloped; lowest sub-leaflets of the main
upper leaflet 1/3-1X as long as the lowest sub-
leaflets of the 2 lower leaflets . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Gymnocarpium dryopteris
02b Leaf blades 8-24 cm long; lowest sub-leaflets
of the 2 lower leaflets short stalked, markedly
2b unequal in length, slightly lobed to scalloped;
lowest sub-leaflets of the main upper leaflet
<1/4X as long as the lowest sub-leaflets of the
2 lower leaflets Gymnocarpium disjunctum
2a

19
 WOODSIACEAE
[DRYOPTERICACEAE, in part]
Cliff-fern Family
WOODSIA Woodsia
01a Leaf stalks with a small, dark, swollen joint
near the base, breaking evenly and leaving
persistent bases of similar length; leaf blades
without glands; indusia disc-shaped, with dark,
hair-like segments curved around the spore
clusters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02
01b Leaf stalks not jointed, breaking unevenly and
leaving persistent bases of uneven length;
leaf blades sometimes with glands; indusia
star-shaped, usually covered/hidden by spore
clusters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .03

02a Leaf stalks straw-yellow or green (dark at the

base only), without scales or hairs above the
joint; blades 5-12 mm wide, hairless; indusia of
5-8 hair-like segments, slightly longer than the
spore clusters; Rockies, north from Banff NP .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Woodsia glabella S2
02b Leaf stalks brown, with scales and hairs above
1a 1b
the joint; blades 12-35 mm wide, hairy; indusia
with 10-20 hair-like segments, conspicuously
longer than the spore clusters . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Woodsia ilvensis
03a Leaf stalks easily broken; leaves with whitish,
many-celled, jointed hairs along the midrib;
indusia with broad lobes irregularly torn into
slender segments . . . . . Woodsia scopulina
03b Leaf stalks pliable, not easily broken; leaves
sometimes with tiny glands but without
jointed hairs; indusia with hair-like segments
2a
2b resembling strings of pearls (moniliform) . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woodsia oregana

3b
3a

20
 DRYOPTERIDACEAE
Shieldfern Family
Key to Genera
01a Indusia round, attached at their center
(peltate); spore dots (sori) round; leaf stalks
with ≥3 vascular bundles at the base; leaves
1X pinnately divided, edged with conspicuous
spines . . . . . . . . . . . . Polystichum lonchitis
01b Indusia mostly kidney-shaped (sometimes
roundish or elongated) or absent, attached
at the hollow (sinus) on one side; spore dots
round or elongated; leaf stalks with ≥2 vascular
bundles at the base; leaves (1)2-3X pinnately
divided, mostly edged with small, often spine-
tipped teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dryopteris

DRYOPTERIS Shieldfern
01a Leaves (fronds) 2-20 cm long, fragrant with
aromatic glands; indusia crowded, often
overlapping; plants of dry, rocky slopes
1b (usually); foothills, N Rockies + Canadian
Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . Dryopteris fragrans S2
1a 01b Leaves (10)20-100 cm long, not fragrant,
----------------------- usually without glands; indusia separate (not
overlapping); woodland plants (usually) . . .02
02a Leaves 2-3X pinnately divided/lobed at the
base; indusia <1 mm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . .03
02b Leaves 2X pinnately divided/lobed at the base;
indusia ±1 mm wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .04

03a Lowest pair of sub-leaflets (pinnules) similar;

leaves broadly lance-shaped; leaf-stalk scales
1a uniformly colored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dryopteris carthusiana
03b Lowest 2 sub-leaflets notably unequal; leaves
3a triangular-egg-shaped; leaf-stalk scales dark
in the middle and paler near the edges . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dryopteris expansa
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Dryopteris assimilis]
3b
04a Leaf stalks <1/4 as long as the blades; leaflets
± uniform, lance-shaped (often narrowly), up
to 8-18 cm long; leaf scales a mix of broad and
hair-like; Kananaskis to Waterton . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dryopteris filix-mas S1S2
04b Leaf stalks 1/4-1/3 as long as the blades;
leaflets varied, triangular-egg-shaped (at the
base) to oblong- lance-shaped (above), ≤6-8
cm long; leaf scales broad to slender (not hair-
like) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dryopteris cristata

4a
4b

21
References
Alberta Conservation Information Management System (ACIMS). 2017.
List of all Vascular Plant Taxa Confirmed for Alberta as recorded
in the ACIMS database - July 2017.in A. Parks, editor. ACIMS,
Government of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

Britton, N. L. and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United

States and Canada. Reprinted by Dover Publications in 1970 edi-
tion. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York.

Brouillet, L., F. Coursol, S.J. Meades, M. Favreau, M. Anions, P. Bélisle &

P. Desmet. 2015. VASCAN, the Database of Vascular Plants of
Canada. http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/

Budd, A. C., J. Looman, and K. F. Best. 2016. Budd’s flora of the Cana-
dian prairie provinces. Volume 1. Ferns and Fern Allies, Conifers,
Monocots Reprint edition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform, North Charleston, SC.

Crow, G. E. and C. B. Hellquist. 2006. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of

Northeastern North America, Volume 1: Pteridophytes, Gymno-
sperms, and Angiosperms: Dicotyledons. University of Wisconsin
Press, Madison, WI.

Douglas, G. W., D. Meidinger, and J. Pojar. 2000. Illustrated flora of British

Columbia. Volume 5. Dicotyledons (Salicaceae through Zygophyl-
laceae) and Pteridophytes. British Columbia Ministry of Forests,
Victoria, British Columbia.

Farrar, D. R. and S. J. Popovich. 2010. Ophioglossaceae of Colorado, ad-

jacent states and southwest South Dakota.in Native Plant Society
of New Mexico Moonwort Workshop, August 11-12, 2010, Silver
City, NM.

Flora North America Editorial Committee. 2008-10. Flora North America

website. Oxford University Press. Accessed 2014-2016. www.fna.
org.

Lellinger, D. B. 1985. A field manual of ferns and fern-allies of the United

States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington,
D.C.

Moss, E. H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. 2nd edition. University of Toronto

Press, Toronto, Ontario.

Packer, J. G. and A. J. Gould. 2017. Vascular Plants of Alberta Part 1:

Ferns, Fern Allies, Gymnosperms, and Monocots. University of
Calgary Press, Calgary, Alberta.

22
Testo, W., A. Haines, and A. V. Gilman. 2016. Huperzia continentalis (Lyco-
podiaceae), a new species of gemmiferous firmoss separated from
Huperzia haleakalae. Systematic Botany 41:894-901.

Vitt, D. H., J. E. Marsh, and R. B. Bovey. 1988. Mosses, lichens and ferns
of northwestern North America. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton,
Alberta.

Williston, P. 2001. The Botrychiaceae of Alberta. Alberta Natural Heritage

Information Centre, Edmonton, Alberta.

23
 List of Species and Illustration Sources
Illus. Illus.
Scientific Name Scientific Name
Source Source
Adiantum aleuticum H&C Equisetum fluviatile H&C
Asplenium viride H&C Equisetum hyemale H&C
Athyrium distentifolium H&C Equisetum laevigatum H&C
Athyrium filix-femina H&C Equisetum palustre H&C
Botrychium ascendens Williston Equisetum pratense BC; H&C
Botrychium campestre Nelson Equisetum scirpoides H&C
Botrychium crenulatum Williston Equisetum sylvaticum H&C
Botrychium hesperium Nelson Equisetum variegatum H&C
Botrychium lanceolatum Nelson Gymnocarpium disjunctum H&C
Botrychium lineare Williston Gymnocarpium dryopteris JM
Botrychium matricariifolium H&C Gymnocarpium jessoense JM
Botrychium michiganense Williston Huperzia continentalis JM
Botrychium minganense Nelson Huperzia occidentalis H&C
Botrychium neolunaria Nelson Huperzia selago H&C
Botrychium pallidum Nelson Isoetes bolanderi H&C
Botrychium paradoxum Williston Isoetes echinospora H&C
Botrychium pedunculosum Williston Isoetes maritima BC
Botrychium pinnatum Williston Isoetes occidentalis BC
Botrychium simplex Nelson Lycopodiella inundata H&C
Botrychium spathulatum Nelson Lycopodium annotinum H&C
Botrychium tunux LK
Lycopodium dendroideum H&C
Botrychium x watertonense Williston
Lycopodium lagopus H&C
Botrypus virginianus H&C
Marsilea vestita H&C
Cryptogramma acrostichoides H&C
Matteuccia struthiopteris BC
Cryptogramma stelleri H&C
Myriopteris gracilis H&C
Cystopteris fragilis H&C
Myriopteris gracillima H&C
Cystopteris montana H&C
Pellaea gastonyi H&C
Diphasiastrum alpinum H&C; BC
Pellaea glabella H&C
Diphasiastrum complanatum H&C
Phegopteris connectilis H&C
Diphasiastrum sitchense H&C
Polypodium hesperium H&C
Dryopteris carthusiana JM
Polypodium sibiricum BC
Dryopteris cristata H&C
Polypodium virginianum B&B
Dryopteris expansa H&C
Polystichum lonchitis H&C
Dryopteris filix-mas H&C
Pteridium aquilinum H&C
Dryopteris fragrans JM
Sceptridium multifidum H&C
Equisetum arvense H&C
Sceptridium oneidense Nelson

24
 Illus.
Scientific Name
Source
Selaginella densa JM
Selaginella rupestris BC
Selaginella scopulorum H&C
Selaginella selaginoides H&C
Selaginella standleyi BC; LK
Selaginella wallacei H&C
Woodsia glabella JM
Woodsia ilvensis JM
Woodsia oregana H&C
Woodsia scopulina H&C

Key to Illustration Sources

B&B = Britton, N. L. and A. Brown. 1913. An

illustrated flora of the northern United States
and Canada. reprinted by Dover Publications
in 1970 edition. Dover Publications, Inc.,
New York, New York.

BC = Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

(Douglas et. al., 2000), provided courtesy of
the Province of British Columbia.

H&C = Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M.

Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1955-69. Vas-
cular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Volume
1. University of Washington Press, Seattle,
Washington.

JM = John Maywood

Kershaw = Linda Kershaw.

Nelson = Paul Nelson, courtesy of the USDA

Forest Service

Williston = Patrick Williston (2001)

25
Index tunux 15
Adiantum virginianum. See Botrypus virginianus
aleuticum 5, 17 x watertonense 13
pedatum. See Adiantum aleuticum Botrypus
Aspleniaceae 5 virginianus 13
Asplenium Cheilanthes. See Myriopteris
trichomanes-ramosum. See Asplenium Cryptogramma 5, 17
viride acrostichoides 17
viride 5 stelleri 17
Athyriaceae 6, 18 Cystopteridaceae 5, 6, 19
Athyrium 6, 18 Cystopteris 6, 19
alpestre. See Athyrium distentifolium fragilis 19
americanum. See Athyrium distenti- montana 19
folium Dendrolycopodium
distentifolium 18 dendroideum 7
filix-femina 18 Dennstaedtiaceae 5
Botrychium 13 Diphasiastrum 7, 8
ascendens 15 alpinum 8
campestre 14 complanatum 8
crenulatum 15 sitchense 8
dusenii. See Botrychium crenulatum Dryopteridaceae 5, 6, 18, 21.
hesperium 14 See also Onocleaceae; See
lanceolatum 13 also Cystopteridaceae; See
lineare 14 also Woodsiaceae; See also Athyr-
lunaria 14. See also Botrychium neo- iaceae
lunaria Dryopteris 6, 21
matricariifolium 14 assimilis. See Dryopteris expansa
michiganense 14 carthusiana 21
minganense 15 cristata 21
multifidum. See Sceptridium multifi- expansa 21
dum filix-mas 21
neolunaria 14 fragrans 21
oneidense. See Sceptridium oneidense Equisetaceae 4, 11
pallidum 15 Equisetum 11
paradoxum 13 arvense 12
pedunculosum 14 fluviatile 11, 12
pinnatum 14 hyemale 11
simplex 13, 15 laevigatum 11
spathulatum 15 palustre 12

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 pratense 12 perzia continentalis
scirpoides 11 sitchense. See Diphasiastrum sitchense
sylvaticum 12 Marsilea
variegatum 11 vestita 4
Gymnocarpium 19 Marsileaceae 4
continentale 19 Matteuccia
disjunctum 19 struthiopteris 5
dryopteris 19 Myriopteris 5, 17
jessoense. See Gymnocarpium conti- Onocleaceae 5
nentale Ophioglossaceae 4, 13
Huperzia 7, 8 Pellaea 5, 17
continentalis 8 atropurpurea. See Pellaea gastonyi
haleakalae. See Huperzia continentalis gastonyi 17
occidentalis 8 glabella 17
selago 8 Phegopteris
Isoetaceae 4, 10 connectilis 6
Isoetes 10 Polypodiaceae 4, 5
maritima 10 Polypodium 16
occidentalis 10 sibiricum 16
Isoëtes 10 virginianum 16
lsoetes Polypodium hesperium
bolanderi 10 hesperium 16
echinospora 10 Polystichum
Lycopodiaceae 4, 7 lonchitis 21
Lycopodiella Pteridaceae 5, 17
inundata 7 Pteridium
Lycopodium 7, 8 aquilinum 5
alpinum. See Diphasiastrum alpinum Pteridophyta 4
annotinum 8 Sceptridium 13, 15
clavatum. See Lycopodium lagopus multifidum 15
complanatum. See Diphasiastrum oneidense 15
complanatum Selaginella 9
dendroideum. See Dendrolycopodium densa 9
dendroideum var. scopulorum. See Selaginella
inundatum. See Lycopodiella inundata scopulorum
lagopus 8 var. standleyi. See Selaginella stand-
obscurum. See Dendrolycopodium leyi
dendroideum rupestris 9
selago. See Huperzia selago; See Hu- scopulorum 9

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 selaginoides 9
standleyi 9
wallacei 9
Selaginellaceae 4, 9
Thelypteridaceae 6
Woodsia 6
glabella 20
ilvensis 20
oregana 20
scopulina 20
Woodsiaceae 6, 20

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