Table 1 Comparison of documented material from Iran and Romania (Phlebopteris formosa) with material of this study (P. woodwardii)

Rachis

6–7 mm, with longitudinal striation

1.5–8 mm, with longitudinal striation or unornamented

Approximately 3 mm, with longitudinal striation

Pinnule insertion, angle

Unknown, perpendicular

Alternate or subopposite, perpendicular

Opposite, perpendicular

Pinnule shape

Unknown

Lanceolate

Linear–lanceolate

Pinnule base

Missing

Roundly constricted

Slightly decurrent

Pinnule margin

Entire

Entire, parallel

Entire, parallel

Pinnule apex

Missing

Unknown

Missing

Pinnule length

80 mm, up to 150 mm

70–100 mm over

60 mm (longest), exceeding 60 mm

Pinnule width

12 mm (10–14 mm)

6–9 mm

11 mm (basally), 2 mm (apically)

Midrib

Strong

Straight, stout

Straight, stout

Midrib ornamentation

Unknown

Unornamented

Longitudinal striation

Midrib insertion

Unknown

Perpendicular

Perpendicular

Midrib width

1 mm

0.5–1.5 mm

2 mm

Distance of adjacent midribs

Unknown

7–15 mm

9–11 mm

Lateral insertion (secondary vein)

Slightly oblique, opposite to subopposite

Slightly oblique, 75–85°, opposite to subopposite

Perpendicular, opposite to subopposite

Distance of lateral veins

2–3 mm

1.5–2 mm

2–2.5 mm

Dividing

Halfway up the lamina, tree-like, without arc, anastomosed

Halfway up the lamina, tree-like, without arc, narrow net

Lower half or halfway up the lamina, making arc (height more than width), elongated net

Sorus shape

Circular, supporting by a short vein

Circular, without supporting by a short vein

Circular, supporting by a short vein

Sorus diameter

1.5 mm

0.7–0.9 mm

0.9–1 mm

Distance of sorus to midrib

1–2 mm

Unknown

Approximately 0.5 mm

Number of sporangia

10–14

6–8

5–6

Spores

Unknown

See Givulescu and Popa 1998

Unknown