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Key to Nephrolepis

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1 Pinnae dichotomously forked  Nephrolepis biserrata

1 Pinnae simple.

2 Scales of the petiole appressed, strongly bicolored (the central portion shining dark brown or blackish, with wide and well-developed hyaline margins).

3 Upper side of the costae densely hairy with pale hairs 0.1-0.5 mm long; scales of the upper surface of the rachis hyaline or light brown, the acumen entire or nearly so; sori submedial  Nephrolepis brownii

3 Upper side of the costae glabrous; scales of the upper surface of the rachis rufous, the acumen strongly dentate; sori submarginal  Nephrolepis hirsutula

2 Scales of the petiole spreading or loose, nearly mono-colored (reddish, light brown, or tan, hyaline margins absent or narrow and indistinct).

4 Upper side of the costae sparsely to densely hairy with hairs 0.2-0.6 mm long; pinnae 2.5-23 cm long, not distinctly auricled at the base.

5 Upper side of the costae sparsely hairy, the hairs 0.4-0.6 mm long; pinnae mostly falcate  Nephrolepis ×averyi

5 Upper side of the costae densely hairy, the hairs 0.2-0.4 mm long; pinnae mostly not falcate  Nephrolepis biserrata

4 Upper side of the costae glabrous; pinnae 1-7.3 cm long, auricled at base on the side toward the leaf tip.

Show caption*© Aidan Campos           6 Scales on the upper surface of the rachis bicolored (pale but distinctly darker at the base); pinnae attachments spaced 5-12 mm apart; leaf blade with an obtuse apex; underside of rachis almost completely hidden by the overlapping basal lobes of the pinnae; rhizomes bearing spherical tubers (not always present)  Nephrolepis cordifolia var. cordifolia

Show caption*© J. Kevin England, all rights reserved, uploaded by J. Kevin England           6 Scales on the upper surface of the rachis concolored (pale to reddish brown throughout); pinnae attachments spaced 7-21 mm apart; leaf blade with an acute to acuminate apex; underside of rachis not or only slightly obscured by the pinna blades; rhizomes not bearing tubers  Nephrolepis exaltata ssp. exaltata