Woodwardia
Content
Notes
Woodwardia is a morphologically diverse assemblage of species characterized largely by a wintergreen habit and a base chromosome number of x = 34. Complete dried collections of adult, fertile individuals are essential for a reliable determination. An ideal collection of Woodwardia should include an entire frond of average dimension, often requiring division of the frond into two or more pieces in order to fit the dimensions of a standard herbarium sheet. At a minimum, a specimen should include 1) the apical third of the frond; 2) a mid-section comprising two to three pinnae; 3) the basal pair of pinnae; and 4) the stipe base with indumenta; along with 5) notes on the overall dimensions of the frond prior to subdivision. When possible, several unexpanded fronds from the crown and a portion of the rhizome should be collected. The material should be fertile with mature or nearly mature sporangia whenever possible. Notes on habit and coloration of the fronds are also helpful.