Dudley's Swordfern

Polystichum dudleyi is confined to coastal central California. Hybrids with P . californicum are relatively frequent where these species occur together. These hybrids would key here but, unlike P . dudleyi , they are less divided and have aborted sporangia. The sterile diploid hybrid with P . munitum is also frequent in areas of sympatry. It is indistinguishable from P . californicum except for malformed sporangia and chromosome number (W. H. Wagner Jr. 1973).

Stems erect. Leaves monomorphic, arching, 2--10 dm; bulblets absent. Petiole 1/5--1/3 length of leaf, densely scaly; scales light brown, gradually diminishing in size distally. Blade broadly lanceolate, 2-pinnate, base not narrowed. Pinnae narrowly lanceolate, not overlapping, in 1 plane, 3--13 cm; base oblique, apex acute with subapical and apical teeth same size; microscales filiform, lacking projections, sparse abaxially, but longer than in other Polystichum species, forming loosely tangled network over blade and sori (such network only in this species), sparse adaxially. Pinnules ± stalked, linear-falcate to oblique-rhombic, acroscopic auricle well developed on proximal pinnules; margins spinulose-dentate; apex acute. Indusia ciliate. Spores brown. 2 n = 82.

Calif.

Moist forests; 0--100m.

Polystichum aculeatum (Linnaeus) Roth var. dudleyi (Maxon) Jepson

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Polystichum dudleyi is a species of fern known by the common name Dudley's sword fern. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the forests of the central and southern California Coast Ranges.