Thelypteris ovata
ovate maiden fern, ovate marsh fern
usually long-creeping, 3–6 mm diam.
monomorphic, evergreen, (0.5–)1–4 cm apart, (30–)55–135(–165) cm.
straw-colored, 15–80 cm × 2–6 mm, at base with tan to brownish, linear-lanceolate, hairy scales.
about equaling petiole length, broadest at base, gradually to somewhat abruptly tapered to pinnatifid apex.
(5–)10–25 × 0.8–2.2 cm, incised 4/5 of width;
segments oblique, somewhat curved, basal pair from middle pinnae often elongate parallel to rachis;
proximal pair of veins from adjacent segments reaching margin at or just above sinus.
round, supramedial to inframarginal;
indusia tan, hairy, hairs mostly 0.2–0.4 mm;
sporangia glabrous.
abaxially of hairs mostly 0.2–0.5 mm on costae, veins, and blade tissue, also sometimes of a few tan scales on costae and rachises;
blades adaxially glabrous except along rachises and costae.
= 72.
Thelypteris ovata
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Scales usually absent on costae abaxially; blade tissue glabrous adaxially; petiole base and stem scales brownish. | var. ovata |
1. Scales few, very narrow, on costae abaxially; blade tissue minutely pubescent or glabrous adaxially; petiole base and stem scales tan. | var. lindheimeri |
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