Species Comparison for Woodsia

Jointed Stipe Stipe and Rachis Height (not diagnostic) Blade Form Scales Hairs Indusium (hand lens required)
alpina jointed half way up the stipe, old bases ± equal height dark brown at base, becoming green before reaching the joint 15 cm 1-pinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae stalked, smaller at base, but not tiny scales diminishing up the stipe, ending at about the rachis long fine, red-brown hairs on lower blade surface filamentous segments enveloping sorus
glabella jointed half way up the stipe, old bases ± equal height brown at very base (<1 cm) green otherwise 10 cm 1-pinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae stalked, smaller at base, but not tiny few scales at stipe base, otherwise glabrous none filamentous segments enveloping sorus
ilvensis jointed half way up the stipe, old bases ± equal height brown at base, lighter above, then green mid-rachis 20 cm 1-pinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae tiny at the base scales throughout the stipe and rachis, on the blade underside, and on the margins hairs throughout the stipe and rachis, on the blade underside, and on the margins filamentous segments enveloping sorus
intermedia jointed at the top of the stipe, old bases ± equal height red-brown 25 cm 1-pinnate, pinnae eared upwards, joined to rachis stipe densely scaly at base, sparsely above, blade also scaly beneath stipe sparsely hairy above, blade hairy on both surfaces shallowly lobed and hairy
manchuriensis no, persistent bases of unequal lengths lustrous red-brown at base, becoming straw-colored, then green above 25 cm 1-pinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae tiny at the base tan scales at stipe base, not above, none on blade stipe glabrous or minute hairs above, lamina nearly glabrous composed of three lobes
obtusa no, persistent bases of unequal lengths light brown or straw-colored 40 cm 2-pinnate-pinnatifid at base stipe sparsely scaly, rachis with hair-like scales rachis with glandular hairs, blade with many glandular hairs composed of four lobes
oregana no, persistent bases of unequal lengths dark reddish-brown at the base and into the rachis 25 cm 2-pinnate, sometimes more at the base stipe sparsely scaly, rachis with hair-like scales rachis with glandular hairs, blade with many glandular hairs composed of short, segmented hairs
polystichoides jointed at the top of the stipe, old bases ± equal height red-brown 30 cm 1-pinnate, pinnae eared upwards stipe densely scaly at base, sparsely above, blade scaly below stipe sparsely hairy above, blade hairy on both surfaces shallowly lobed and hairy
scopulina no, persistent bases of unequal lengths shiny, chestnut-brown 35 cm 2-pinnate ±, lower pinnae diminished, but not tiny tan scales at stipe base rachis and blade with abundant, white, jointed hairs or hair-like scales composed of strap-like segments