Key Identification Features
- Athyrium filix-femina (common lady fern) is now commonly split into three distinct species: the typical A.
- Each sorus is covered by a distinct kidney-shaped (reniform) indusium that ranges in color from whitish to brown.
- For a long time, it was classified as part of the superspecies Athyrium filix-femina, but it is now widely recognized as a separate distinct species.
- This species does not produce flowers, and can be easily identified by the gray hairs that grow on the underside of its leaves.
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