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:

Cystopteris fragilis, Picea mariana, Ribes oxyacanthoides, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Vulnerable

Nature Conservancy Status:

G5 S2

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

None

COSEWIC Status:

None

Woodsia glabella 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 stipes; scales uniform, brown, lanceolate, margin denticulate

Fronds:

3.5 – 15 cm long, 0.5 – 1.2 cm wide

Stipes:

delicate, articulate above base at swollen node, pliable, green or stramineus throughout

Blades:

linear to lanceolate, pinnate-pinnatifed, pale green, glabrous or with occasional sessile glands; rachis glabrous

Pinnae:

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

Pinnules:

margin entire or broadly crenate

Indusia:

narrow, hair-like segments, uniseriate, usually surpassing mature sporangia

Sori:

rounded, medial

WOODSIA KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

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

2 Stipes articulate above base, swollen at point of articulation; indusia segments uniseriate throughout; pinnules entire or crenate	3
2 Stipes not articulate above the base, no swelling; indusia segments multiseriate at base; pinnules dentate	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; stipes relatively brittle and easily shattered; indusia with broad lobes lacerate into slender segments	W. scopulina ssp. scopulina
4 Pinnae lacking flattened hairs on midrib; stipes 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 dentate and appearing ragged	W. oregana spp. cathcartiana