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Click the number at the start of a key lead to highlight both that lead and its corresponding lead. Click again to show only the two highlighted leads. Click a third time to return to the full key with the selected leads still highlighted.

Key to Ophioglossum

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1 Underground stem globose, nearly spherical, 3-11 mm in diameter; fertile spikes commonly with a conspicuous, acute or attenuate sterile portion (apiculum) at its apex; sterile blade 1-4 cm long, 0.5-2.5 cm wide, borne horizontally near the ground
1 Underground stem narrowly cylindrical or irregularly elongate, 2-4 mm in diameter; fertile spikes without a sterile portion at the apex or the sterile portion inconspicuous; sterile blade 0.5-10 cm long, 0.2-5.5 cm wide, borne horizontally, ascending, or vertically.
..2 Sterile blade 0.2-1 cm wide, the polygonal venation areoles usually lacking both smaller areoles and free included veinlets
..2 Sterile blade (0.5-) 1.2-5 cm wide, the polygonal venation areoles either with smaller areoles or with free included veinlets.
....3 Large areoles of the of the sterile blade subdivided into smaller areoles, these further subdivided into smaller areoles and free veinlets; sterile blade apiculate
....3 Large areoles of the sterile blade lacking smaller areoles, but with free included veinlets in some areoles; sterile blade obtuse or acute.
......4 Sterile blade ovate-lanceolate, the base obtuse to nearly truncate, broadest < ¼ of the way from the base to the apex; primary areoles mostly > 2 mm wide, without included veinlets
......4 Sterile blade ovate to elliptic, the base cuneate to obtuse, broadest between one quarter and one half of the way from the base to the tip; primary areoles mostly < 2 mm wide, with included veinlets.
........5 Sterile blade elliptic, broadest near the middle, acute to attenuate at the base, pale green, dull, herbaceous in texture; basal frond sheath membranaceous and ephemeral; spores 50-60 μ in diameter
........5 Sterile blade ovate, broadest below the middle, obtuse at the base, dark green, shiny, firm in texture; basal frond sheath leathery and tending to persist; spores 35-45 μ in diameter
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