Species: Woodsia glabella R. BR. ex Richards

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Woodsia glabella R. BR. ex Richards

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TAXONOMY

Family:

Dryopteridaceae

Genus:

Woodsia

Species Synonyms:

none

Common Names:

smooth woodsia

DISTRIBUTION

Canada:

Yukon Territory – Northwest Territories – Labrador, south to southeastern British Columbia – western Alberta – northern Saskatchewan – Nova Scotia – Newfoundland

Saskatchewan:

northern Saskatchewan; Lake Athabasca – Hasbala Lake – Deschambault Lake

Ecoregion:

Mid-Boreal Lowland, Churchill River Upland, Athabasca Plain, Tazin Lake Upland, Selwyn Lake Upland

HABITAT

Saskatchewan:

crevices of calcareous cliffs and outcrops

Associated species:

black spruce, fragile fern, gooseberry, shrubby fivefingers

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Vulnerable

Nature Conservancy Status:

G5 S2

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

None

COSEWIC Status:

None

Smooth woodsia is vulnerable in Saskatchewan because it is rare or uncommon. This species is only somewhat regionally restricted, but most local populations are small. No immediate threats are known, but are possible in the future.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION

Roots:

compact, erect to ascending, with clusters of old stalks; scales uniform, brown, lance-shaped, margin square-toothed

Fronds:

3.5 – 15 cm long, 0.5 – 1.2 cm wide

Stipes:

delicate, jointed above base at swollen node, pliable, green or straw-coloured throughout

Blades:

linear to lance-shaped, pinnately-lobed, pale green, hairless or with occasional sessile glands; central axis hairless

Pinnae:

mostly 8 – 14 pairs, divergent; largest pinnae with 1 – 3 pairs of pinnules; lower pinnae fan-shaped, wider than long; upper pinnae ovate, longer than wide

Pinnules:

margin entire or broadly round-toothed

Indusia:

rounded, medial

Sori:

narrow, hair-like segments, in one row, usually surpassing mature spore sacs

WOODSIA KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

1 Blades and central axis completely hairless; lower pinnae wider than long; leaves < 1.2 cm wide; mature stalks green or straw-coloured throughout	W. glabella
1 Blades and/or central axis with scattered hairs; proximal pinnae longer than wide; leaves > 1.2 cm wide (if less, mature stalks reddish brown or dark purple)	2

2 Stalks jointed above base, swollen at joint; indusia segments in one row throughout; pinnules entire or round-toothed	3
2 Stalks not jointed above the base, no swelling; indusia segments in several rows at base; pinnules square-toothed	4

3 Largest pinnae with 1 – 3 pairs of pinnules	W. alpina
3 Largest pinnae with 4 – 9 pairs of pinnules	W. ilvensis

4 Pinnae with flattened hairs on midrib; stalks relatively brittle and easily shattered; indusia with broad lobes shredded into slender segments	W. scopulina ssp. scopulina
4 Pinnae without flattened hairs on midrib; stalks pliable; indusia with slender, often hair-like segments	5

5 Spores 39 – 44 um; pinnule margins entire	W. oregana ssp oregana
5 Spores 45 – 50 um; pinnule margins minutely square-toothed and appearing ragged	W. oregana spp. cathcartiana