PLANT TAXONOMY EXAM WITH ANSWERS #7 2025
Lycopodiaceae Diphasiastrum - correct answer Dichotomously branching, flattened
branches with appressed, scale-like leaves ("ground cedar") Cones/strobili 2 or 3 at end
of long, mostly naked stalk
Lycopodiaceae Huperzia - correct answer Leaves longer and broader, not much
branched Sporangia in zones not cones
Lycopodiaceae Dendrolycopodium - correct answer Bristly, dichotomously branched
Stems with small needle-like leaves ("ground pine") Cones/strobili solitary, on leafy
stalks just like sterile branches
Selaginellaceae: Selaginella - correct answer Stems much branched, often flattened;
leaves broad and flat, scale-like, or tiny and bristle-like;Cones/strobili usually square
insection, inconspicuous, with 2 types of spores
Isoetaceae: Isoetes - correct answer Submersed aquatics, leaves long and "quill-like",
thickened stem/corm, fertile leaf bases swollen with 2 different spore types
Ophioglossaceae: Botrychium - correct answer Thick leathery leaves, divided into 2
parts (stalked part with sporangia clusters, divided leaf blade), from short rhizome.
Leaves emerge "nodding" but not coiled. Clusters of relatively large sporangia, like little
bunches of grapes
Equisetaceae: Equisetum - correct answer Ridged, hollow stems; whorled branching,
teeth reduced to bristles; spores in hard or soft strobilus/cone
Osmundaceae: Osmunda s.l. - correct answer Large, clump-forming ferns of wetland
margins, leaves 1-3 times compound. Sporangia borne on separate leaves or leaflets,
depending on the species. Entire leaflets covered in sporangia, no distinct sori.
Sporangia with a constricting zone rather than distinct annulus, splitting in half rather
than throwing spores
Dryopteridaceae s.s.: Dryopteris - correct answer Clump-forming, 1-3 times compound
fronds with dense brown scales on stipes. Sporangia on underside of photosynthetic
leaves, often in round sori with peltate(shield-like) or reniform (kidney-shaped) indusia
Athyriaceae Athyrium - correct answer Sporangia on underside of photosynthetic
leaves, in linear sori (along the veins), usually hooked, with flap-like indusium. Clump-
forming, 2-3 times compound fronds with dark scales on stipes
Onocleaceae: Onoclea - correct answer Separate fertile and sterile leaves attached
along creeping rhizomes. Sterile leaves 0-1 times compound, segments shallowly
lobed. Fertile leaves with leaflets completely covered by sporangia, margins rolling
inwards to cover them, persisting through winter
Lycopodiaceae Diphasiastrum - correct answer Dichotomously branching, flattened
branches with appressed, scale-like leaves ("ground cedar") Cones/strobili 2 or 3 at end
of long, mostly naked stalk
Lycopodiaceae Huperzia - correct answer Leaves longer and broader, not much
branched Sporangia in zones not cones
Lycopodiaceae Dendrolycopodium - correct answer Bristly, dichotomously branched
Stems with small needle-like leaves ("ground pine") Cones/strobili solitary, on leafy
stalks just like sterile branches
Selaginellaceae: Selaginella - correct answer Stems much branched, often flattened;
leaves broad and flat, scale-like, or tiny and bristle-like;Cones/strobili usually square
insection, inconspicuous, with 2 types of spores
Isoetaceae: Isoetes - correct answer Submersed aquatics, leaves long and "quill-like",
thickened stem/corm, fertile leaf bases swollen with 2 different spore types
Ophioglossaceae: Botrychium - correct answer Thick leathery leaves, divided into 2
parts (stalked part with sporangia clusters, divided leaf blade), from short rhizome.
Leaves emerge "nodding" but not coiled. Clusters of relatively large sporangia, like little
bunches of grapes
Equisetaceae: Equisetum - correct answer Ridged, hollow stems; whorled branching,
teeth reduced to bristles; spores in hard or soft strobilus/cone
Osmundaceae: Osmunda s.l. - correct answer Large, clump-forming ferns of wetland
margins, leaves 1-3 times compound. Sporangia borne on separate leaves or leaflets,
depending on the species. Entire leaflets covered in sporangia, no distinct sori.
Sporangia with a constricting zone rather than distinct annulus, splitting in half rather
than throwing spores
Dryopteridaceae s.s.: Dryopteris - correct answer Clump-forming, 1-3 times compound
fronds with dense brown scales on stipes. Sporangia on underside of photosynthetic
leaves, often in round sori with peltate(shield-like) or reniform (kidney-shaped) indusia
Athyriaceae Athyrium - correct answer Sporangia on underside of photosynthetic
leaves, in linear sori (along the veins), usually hooked, with flap-like indusium. Clump-
forming, 2-3 times compound fronds with dark scales on stipes
Onocleaceae: Onoclea - correct answer Separate fertile and sterile leaves attached
along creeping rhizomes. Sterile leaves 0-1 times compound, segments shallowly
lobed. Fertile leaves with leaflets completely covered by sporangia, margins rolling
inwards to cover them, persisting through winter
