1	"Leaf generally 1-pinnate, rarely to partly 2-pinnate; pinnae generally simple, +- entire to serrate, in <i>Polystichum kruckebergii</i> sometimes 1-lobed"	2
1	"Leaf 1--2-pinnate, rarely to partly 3-pinnate;; pinnae deeply pinnately lobed to 1-pinnate, at least at bases of lowest"	6
2	"Leaf 10--15(25) cm; pinnae simple or generally lobed at bases of lowest"	"Polystichum kruckebergii"
2	"Leaf 10--120(200) cm; pinnae simple"	3
3	"Proximal pinnae +- deltate, +- 1/2 longest; stipe 1/10--1/6 blade"	"Polystichum lonchitis"
3	"Proximal pinnae ovate to lanceolate, +- = to +- 2/3 longest; stipe generally 1/5--1/2 blade"	4
4	"Stipe base scales ovate, +- 3(6) mm wide, those above proximal pinnae generally > 1 mm wide, persistent; pinnae generally in 1 plane; indusium ciliate"	"Polystichum munitum"
4	"Stipe base scales lanceolate, +- 2--3 mm wide, those above proximal pinnae generally < 1 mm wide, falling early; pinnae +- in 1 plane or not; indusium +- entire to toothed"	5
5	"Leaf 15--80 cm; pinnae +- in 1 plane, longest 3--6(10) cm; sori submarginal"	"Polystichum imbricans subsp. curtum"
5	"Leaf 15--50 cm; pinnae often not +- in 1 plane, longest 2--5 cm; sori +- near midvein"	"Polystichum imbricans subsp. imbricans"
6	"Segment teeth without bristle-like tips; serpentine"	"Polystichum lemmonii"
6	"Segment teeth with bristle-like tips; serpentine or not"	7
7	"Leaf generally 2- to rarely partly 3-pinnate; pinnules abruptly narrowed to attachment < 0.5 mm wide, often with a lobe on distal side of base; rachis with persistent scales"	"Polystichum dudleyi"
7	"Leaf generally 1- to partly 2-pinnate; pinnules gradually tapered to attachment < 3 mm wide, lobes 0; rachis with deciduous scales"	8
8	"Smallest scales on abaxial blade surface hair-like; blade generally > 5 cm wide"	"Polystichum californicum"
8	"Smallest scales on abaxial blade surface linear, few hair-like; blade generally < 5 cm wide"	9
9	"Proximal pinnae +- deltate, longest < 1(1.5) cm"	"Polystichum kruckebergii"
9	"Proximal pinnae +- lanceolate, longest 1.5--3 cm"	"Polystichum scopulinum"