Polystichum imbricans, Narrowleaf Sword Fern
Polystichum imbricans, Narrowleaf Sword Fern
perennial fern
KEY
terrestrial plant with no flowers or bulbs sporangia present
Herbs reproducing by spores released directly from sporangia, the sporangia variously located [on abaxial leaf Ā face, [LYCOPHYTES and FERNS]
Plant terrestrial l; leaf 1-2 pinnate,; sporangia borne on aerial portion of leaf
Leaves all alike or nearly so, the fertile [sporangium-bearing] blades very similar in size and shape to sterile blades sporangia borne on underside of leaf Ā blade, new leaves generally coiled, unrolling as they develop
Sori borne away from margin on underside of leaf Ā or leaflet, sporangia clustered in distinct sori; indusia present
Sori ± round
Blade without needle-like hairs
Indusium peltate  or round-reniform, attached ± in center of sorus , generally present and readily observable in late-season specimens ..... DRYOPTERIDACEAE
- Indusium peltate , centrally attached, without a sinus
- Veins generallyĀ free, rarely ± joined; leaf 1ā3-pinnate, teeth, generally including bristle-like tips, < 4 mm .....Ā POLYSTICHUM
-Leaf generally 1-pinnate, rarely to partly 2-pinnate; pinnae generally simple, ± entire to serrate, in Polystichum kruckebergii sometimes 1-lobe
Leaf 10ā120(200) cm; pinnae simple
Proximal pinnae ovate to lanceolate , ± = to ± 2/3 longest; stipe generally 1/5ā1/2 blade
Stipe base scales lanceolate, ± 2ā3 mm wide, those above proximal pinnae generally < 1 mm wide, falling early; pinnae ± in 1 plane or not; indusium ± entire to toothed .....Ā P. imbricans
DESCRIPTION
Rhizome: generally suberect to erect, often stout
Stipe/petiole: generally 1/5--1/2 of blade Stout, firm, generally densely scaly, base scales +- 2--3 mm wide, lanceolate, those above proximal pinnae generally, Ć-section with many round vascular strands in an arc.
Blade: narrow-lanceolate to -elliptic, 1-pinnate,, proximal pinnae reduced or not, thin to leathery, scaly, veins generally free, rarely +- jointed; pinna bases often wider acroscopically; teeth, generally including bristle-like tip
Sporangia: sori round; indusium peltate [0 or reniform], sinus 0. indusium +- entire to toothed
SOURCES AND MORE INFORMATION
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=17681#null
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=POIM
https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=10784
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/58763-Polystichum-imbricans
https://calphotos.berkeley.edu
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeFidZIrKxT/
https://wildflowersearch.org/search
Jepson Herbarium Youtube Polystichum Munitum


















