Flora of North America species comparison

produced in 1 pseudowhorl at end of each annual growth cycle;

gemmae 4–6 × 3–6 mm, lateral leaves 1.5–2.5 mm wide, broadly obtuse with distinct mucro.

produced in 2–3 pseudowhorls at end of annual growth;

gemmae 3.5–5 × 3–4 mm, lateral leaves 1.25–1.75 mm wide, acute with acuminate tip.

erect, indeterminate, 14–20(–100) cm, becoming long-decumbent, with long, trailing, senescent portion turning brown;

juvenile and mature portions similar with strong annual constrictions due to formation of winter bud;

juvenile growth erect.

erect, determinate, 12–18(–25) cm, clustered to long-decumbent, to 8 cm;

leaves in mature portion smaller than leaves in juvenile portion;

annual constrictions absent;

juvenile growth sharply down-curled forming ± 1/2 circle, leaves at tip appressed to form pointed apex.

spreading to reflexed, dark green, lustrous;

largest leaves narrowly obovate, leaves broadest at or above middle, 7–11 mm, margins papillate, teeth 1–8, irregular, large;

smallest leaves (at annual constrictions) narrowly lanceolate, 3–6 mm;

stomates on abaxial surface only.

in juvenile (proximal) portion spreading-reflexed (shade) to appressed-ascending (sun), in mature (distal) portion spreading-ascending (shade) to appressed-ascending (sun), light green to yellow, lustrous;

leaves in juvenile portion narrowly lanceolate, parallel-sided, 4.5–7 mm;

leaves in mature portion triangular, widest at base, 3.5–5.5 mm;

margins entire;

stomates present on both surfaces, numerous, 35–80 per 1/2 leaf on adaxial surface.

23–29 µm. 2n = 134.

25–34 µm.