Flora of North America species comparison

monomorphic, green through winter, 6–40 × 1–6 cm, old leaves persistent as gray or brown conspicuous clump at plant base (only in this species).

monomorphic, dying back in winter, 28–120 × 10–30 cm.

1/3 length of leaf, scaly throughout;

scales dense, brown to red-brown.

less than 1/4 length of leaf, scaly at least at base;

scales scattered, brown, of 2 distinct kinds, 1 broad, 1 hairlike (only this species has 2 distinct forms of scales without intermediates).

green, linear-lanceolate, pinnate-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate, papery, densely scaly (only in this species) abaxially, glandular, aromatic when handled (only in this species).

green, ovate-lanceolate, pinnate-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate at base, firm but not leathery, not glandular.

± in plane of blade, linear-oblong;

basal pinnae linear-oblong, much reduced, basal pinnules longer than adjacent pinnules, basal basiscopic pinnule and basal acroscopic pinnule equal;

pinnule margins crenately toothed.

± in plane of blade, lanceolate;

basal pinnae ovate-lanceolate, much reduced, basal pinnules or segments ± same length as adjacent pinnules, basal basiscopic pinnule and basal acroscopic pinnule equal;

pinnule margins serrate to lobed.

glandular.

lacking glands.

midway between midvein and margin of segments.

midway between midvein and margin of segments.

= 82.

= 164.