通过查阅馆藏标本和野外观察,对蹄盖蕨属(Athyrium Roth)的分类性状进行了比较研究,认为根状茎类型、叶上是否具刺、孢子囊群的形状、羽片基部上侧是否具耳状突起和是否具棘头状腺毛等5个形态性状较为稳定,可作为蹄盖蕨属的属下分类性状;叶或羽片的形状及羽片是否具柄等性状可作为分种性状;叶的分裂回数、鳞片和叶柄、羽轴及小羽轴的颜色、被毛多寡及裂片形状等形态性状不适合单独作为蹄盖蕨属属内分种的性状。 

Based on specimens consultation and field investigation, the taxonomic characters of Athyrium Roth were comparied and studied. There search results show that the five morphologic alcharacters of rhizome type, with or without spine, sorus shape, with or without enations on acroscopic position of pinna base, and with or without squarrose glandular hairs are stable and can be used for infrageneric classification of Athyrium. The other morphological characters, such as shape of lamina or pinna and with or without petiole of pinna, can be used as species-recognizing characters. But the characters of division of lamina, colour of scales, petioles, rachises and costae, amount of hairs and lobe shape are not suitable to be used for species identification separately.

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