Eastern Bracken Fern
Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum
Distinguished from other Pteridium aquilinum varieties by the terminal segments of pinnules 2-4 times longer than wide; segment margins and abaxial surface of blade midrib and costae shaggy.
Petiole 15--100 cm. Blade broadly triangular to sometimes ovate, 3-pinnate or 3-pinnate-pinnatifid at base, 20--80 × 25--50 cm; blade margins and abaxial surface shaggy, rachises and costae glabrous or sparsely pilose abaxially. Pinnae (proximal) broadly triangular, distal pinnae narrowly triangular or oblong; terminal segment of each pinna ca. 2--4 times longer than wide, longer ultimate segments less than their width apart, ca. 3--6 mm wide. Pinnules at 45°--60° angle to costa; fertile ultimate segments adnate or equally decurrent and surcurrent. Outer indusia entire or somewhat erose, glabrous. 2 n = 104.
Petiole 15--100 cm. Blade broadly triangular to sometimes ovate, 3-pinnate or 3-pinnate-pinnatifid at base, 20--80 × 25--50 cm; blade margins and abaxial surface shaggy, rachises and costae glabrous or sparsely pilose abaxially. Pinnae (proximal) broadly triangular, distal pinnae narrowly triangular or oblong; terminal segment of each pinna ca. 2--4 times longer than wide, longer ultimate segments less than their width apart, ca. 3--6 mm wide. Pinnules at 45°--60° angle to costa; fertile ultimate segments adnate or equally decurrent and surcurrent. Outer indusia entire or somewhat erose, glabrous. 2 n = 104.