El complejo Dryopteris patula (Dryopteridaceae) en México: análisis morfométricos
We studied collections from four species of the <em>Dryopteris patula</em> complex <em>(D. cinnamomea, D. patula, D. rosea, and D. rossii)</em> to identify the morphological characters that distinguish them from one another. <em>D. maxonii</em> and <em>D. wallichiana</em> were included as comparative species to evaluate characters that distinguish species within the complex. Quantitative characters were examined through principal component and canonical discriminant analyses, and both qualitative and quantitative characters were used to obtain phenograms. Multivariate analyses determined that basal pinna length, stipe scale length, number of pinna pairs, and frond length are the variables that discriminate among <em>D. rossii</em> and the other species of the complex. The phenogram showed two groups. One included <em>D. maxonii</em> and <em>D. wallichiana</em>, while the second grouped the four species of the complex. These species were distinguished by the shape and margin of their rhizome scales, color of stipe, and shape of the blade. A combination of morphological characters supports the recognition of the four species as valid. An identification key is given and a taxonomic treatment is presented for each of the taxa.