Micro-morphological characters in Polypodiaceae and its taxonomic significance

The present study insights into the interrelationships and taxonomic segregation of some Polypodiaceous fern taxa based on leaf architecture and foliar micro-morphology. Twenty-seven fern species were examined and valuable qualitative and quantitative data were obtained to generate UPGMA dendrogram. A dichotomous key differentiating the taxa was prepared. Results reveal that even though species have overlapping characters, certain specific traits prove taxonomically valuable. The results proved that traits like leaf shape, higher order leaf venation, stomatal and epidermal features are indeed important diagnostic characters and hence can be used for the identification of fern species in their immature stage or even in absence of sori. These data sets often combined with other morphological as well molecular data would contribute to fern phylogenetic study particularly of the large and complex family Polypodiaceae.