Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924089512515 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. THE GARDEN, CONSERVATORY, AND STOVE. DESCRIBING AND GIVING EXPLICIT CULTURAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE BEST AND MOST STRIKING FERNS AND SELAGINELLAS IN CULTIVATION. ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOURED PLATES AND NUMEROUS WOOD ENGRAVINGS, SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THIS WORK. BY GEORGE. SCHNEIDER, Membre Correspondant de la Société Nationale ad Horticulture de France (Parts); Membre Correspondant de la Société @’ Horticulture de St. Germain-en-Laye (France), Membre Correspondant de la Société a’ Horticulture du Nord de la France; Membre Correspondant de la Société d Horticulture de Valenciennes ; Membre de la Société @ Horticulture de Seine-et-Otse (Versailles); Membre de la Soctété Royale d’ Agriculture et de Botaniqgue de Gand (Belgique). VOLUME Ill. FROM OCHROPTERIS TO WOODWARDIA, AND SELAGINELLA. LONDON; LL. UPCOTT GILL, Tyo, STRAND, W.C. 1894. 1 LONDON: A, BRADLEY, LONDON AND COUNTY PRINTING WORKS, DRURY LANE, W.C. Porro: VOls, Wi: — Gr] Y the publication of the Third Volume “ Tur Boox or Cuoice Frrys” is now completed, and it is hoped that, on account of the scientific yet practical lines upon which it has been written throughout, it will, as a whole, be duly appre- ciated by scientists as well as by amateur and _ professional gardeners. It will be noticed that the same care and attention which were conspicuous in its early stage have been bestowed upon it to its last pages, the Publisher having spared no expense to make it a work worthy of his production, while no pains have been spared by the Author to render it what may legitimately be considered a truthful Book of Reference and a work of popular interest. All known species and varieties possessed of any decorative value have, at the hands of the Author, received special attention and have been described in full. Plants of more or less botanical interest, but useless from the decorator’s point of view, though not fully described, have, nevertheless, been included in the ‘enumeration, with remarks as to their habitats and dimensions, and references to previous works in which complete technical descriptions may be found. In so doing, the Author has been impelled by the desire of overcoming the great difficulty of ‘drawing the line” at any species or variety being by him considered a “Choice Fern.” To make researches both easy and useful, an exhaustive Index to the whole work has, at the suggestion of many Subscribers, been appended to this volume; and it is hoped by the Author, that, for practical purposes, he vi PREFACE. has succeeded in the task which he had set himself of simplifying the nomenclature of known Ferns and Selaginellas. The correct names and the synonyms being given simultaneously and alphabetically, the cultivator may now ascertain without trouble whether the names he uses are right or wrong according to scientific classification; and he may implicitly depend on the cultural notes, which are the result of careful observations made during a period of upwards of twenty years of personal experience and practice. GEORGE SCHNEIDER. 17, Irtetp Roap, West Brompton, 8.W. 1894, CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.—Ocnroprenris, J. Smith . Il.—Otranpra, Cavanilles II.—Onocrea, Mettenius IV.—Onycuium, Kaulfuss V.—Opuioetossum, Linneus VI.—Osmunna, Linneus Vil.—Petiaa, Link VITL—Pratycertum, Desvaur . IX.—Pratyzoma, Brown X.—Porypopium, Linneus X1.—Prmnris, Linneus XII.—Saprerta, Kaulfuss XII.—Scuizma, Smith XIV.—Scotorenprium, Smith XV.—Sprazropteris, Wallich XVI.—Tanitis, Swartz X VII.—Tuyrsorreris, Kunze XVILI.—Topea, Willdenow . NXIX.—Tricnomanes, Smith XX.—Trocuopteris, Gardner XXJ.—Virraria, Smith XXII.—Woopnsia, Rk. Brown XXIU1.—Woopwarpia, Smath XXIV.—SeEtacinetia, Spring Inprex 253 306 308 314 341 343 346 348 307 386 387 391 400 407 433 THE BOOK OF GHOIC VOL. III. L\J ay ERNS CHAPTER. J, OCMROPTERIS, J. Smith. (O-chrop’-ter-is. ) N,N Hooker and Baker’s “Synopsis Filicum” Ochropteris forms Genus 22, and occupies a position intermediate between Adiantum and Lonchitis in the tribe Pteridew. The name is derived from ochros, pale, and pteris, a Fern, in reference to the colour of the plant. This genus is monotypic, that is to say, it comprises but one species: this is a beautiful and very rare Fern, having the general habit and texture of an ample-fronded and much- divided Davallia; its distinguishing character is seen in the disposition of the spore masses, and in the nature of their covering, formed of the margin of the frond and partaking of its texture. The plant requires an abundance of heat and moisture all the year round, and a compost of three parts peat, two parts sand, and one part loam. Like the majority of Ferns from the same habitat, it is averse to strong light. We are not aware that this interesting plant has ever been raised from spores either in this or in any other country in Europe. VOL, MI, B 2 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. O. pallens—pal’-lens (pale), J. Smith. This handsome, stove Fern, native of Mauritius, is of medium dimensions only. Its elegantly-cut fronds, borne on naked stalks 2ft. long and of a peculiar pale straw-colour, are about 2ft. long, 1ft. broad, and quadripinnatifid (four times divided nearly to the midrib). The lower pinnules (leafits), 3in. to 4in. long and 2in. broad, have their segments cut down to the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) below, with oblong, toothed lower lobes, the whole being of a leathery texture. The sori (spore masses), disposed at the extremity of the lobes of the segments, are covered by an involucre of the same shape, and formed of the reflexed margin of the frond, with which it coincides in texture. —Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 54, t. 778. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 466. ODONTOLOMA—0d-on-tol-o’-ma. See Davallia. CHAPTER IL. OLEANDRA, Cavanilles. (Ol-é-an’-dra. ) HE meaning of the name Oleandra is obscure; but it is said to be derived from the Oleander (Neriwm Oleander), which plant O. neriiformis is thought to resemble. In Hooker and Oleandra forms Genus 46. It is a small, though extremely interesting division of the very Baker’s “Synopsis Filicum” extensive tribe Aspidiew, and the species are almost restricted to the Tropics. Botanically, they are closely related to Nephrodiuwm, from which they are principally distinguished by the peculiar scandent (climbing) habit of their wide-creeping rhizomes, by their jointed stalks, and by the entire (undivided) character of their fronds, which are more or less spear-shaped. The round and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are inserted in a row near the base, or below the centre, of the compact, free veinlets, and are covered by a reniform (kidney-shaped) involucre. Although Fée, in his “Genres de la Famille des Polypodiacées,”’ enumerates no less than a dozen species, these have, by Hooker and Baker, been reduced to half that number. ‘Culture. Although not an extensive genus, Oleandra embraces some of the most interesting trailing Ferns in cultivation. O. neriiformis, a plant much more like an Oleander than a Fern, is, however, an exception; it grows somewhat in the way of Gleichenia flabellata, but has thicker and more fleshy, erect B 2 4 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. stems, which have, moreover, the peculiarity of branching out freely, and of being provided with aérial roots—a character to be found in scarcely any other cultivated Fern. All the other species make good specimens either trained upon stems of dead Tree Ferns, which they readily ascend and quickly cover, or grown on mounds of peat. None but very fibrous peat should, however, be used; thick turfs of it should be placed one above another, and tightly skewered together by means of wooden pegs so as to form a pyramid. Another way of employing Oleandras is to use them for covering pillars indoors; but as they take possession of any genial surface, fastening them- selves to it by means of short, fibry roots, it is indispensable that these should be provided with proper nourishment as the rhizomes extend. The best plan is to fix round the pillar a wire cylinder of 2in. to 3in. mesh, which should be filled up, as the rhizomes extend, with a mixture of two parts of fibrous peat and one of sphagnum, rammed tolerably close. For hiding pillars, walls, or unsightly upright supports, the Oleandras are quite as useful as the better-known Davallias, and do not require any more special attention ; although not perhaps quite such rapid growers, they possess the advantage of retaining their foliage longer than is the case with most Davallias. All the Oleandras known to cultivation require stove treatment and abundance of water at the roots throughout their growing season, and they are greatly benefited by occasional syringings overhead during the summer. Although Oleandras may be propagated from spores, they are usually increased by division of the rhizomes—an operation which may safely take place any time between April and September. Species and Principal Varieties. O. articulata—ar-tic-ul-a’-ta (jointed), Cavanilles. An evergreen species, native of Natal, the Mascarene Islands, the Seychelles, and the Guinea Coast; it is specially adapted for growing on small pyramids of peat. Its simple, entire (undivided) fronds are produced about 2in. apart, from firm, more or less upright, wide-climbing rhizomes (stems), from which they hang gracefully. They are borne on slender stalks lin. to 2in. long, with the joint close to the base, and their leafy portion, 6in. to 12in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, and of a somewhat, leathery nature, OLEANDRA. 5 has the midrib beneath slightly scaly. The sori (spore masses) in this species form two irregular rows of orange-brown dots, often some distance from the midrib. This is one of the smallest-habited plants of the genus, and looks well covering the stem of a dead Tree Fern. Its foliage is of a pleasing shade of light green, and the venation is exceedingly pretty.— Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 156. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 481. O. a. Welwitschii—Wel-wit’-schi-i (Dr. Welwitsch’s), Baker. A native of Angola, having weaker and wide-trailing rhizomes clothed with rough scales like those of O. nodosa.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 303. O. chinensis—chi-nen’-sis (Chinese). Synonymous with O. Cumingit. O. Cumingii—Cum-ing’-i-i (Cuming’s), J. Smith. This singular species, native of Assam, Luzon, Burmah, &c., is easily distinguished from all others by its comparatively small rhizome (stem), which seldom exceeds the dimensions of an ordinary quill pen, and invariably trails horizontally. The peculiar conformation of the stalks on which the fronds are borne is another equally striking character: they form, about 2in. from the rhizome, a sort of joint, from which, when exhausted, the frond becomes detached, leaving the short lower portion of the stalks adhering firmly to the rhizomes, which are densely clothed with brownish and distinctly overlapping scales. The fronds, 1ft. to 14ft. long, 1din. broad, and of a soft, papery texture and dark green colour, are gradually narrowed towards both ends, and their midrib on both sides is slightly hairy. The rather large, light brown sori (spore masses) generally form a single and scarcely interrupted line near, but not close to, the midrib, although in some instances they may be found scattered irregularly a little distance from it. O. chinensis is identical with this species—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 159. O. C. longipes—long’-ip-és (having long feet or stalks), Hooker. A native of Moulmein. The stalks of the fronds, which are of a length about equal to the leafy portion, are articulated near the middle instead of near the base. Fig. 1 is reduced from Col. Beddome’s “Ferns of British India,” by the kind permission of the author.—/Zooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 303. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 130. 6 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. O. C. Sibbaldi—Sib-bald’-i (Sibbald’s), Greville. A variety with thinner foliage, of a more hairy nature than in the species, and with sori (spore masses) disposed in very irregular lines not so near the midrib. This form, gathered in Tahiti by Sibbald and Bidwell, probably occurs also in Tropical Australia, as there are specimens of it amongst Leichhardt’s plants.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 303. O. hirtella—hir-tel’-la (slightly hairy). A form of O. neriiformis. O. Moritzii—Mor-itz’-i-i (Moritz’s), This is only a variety of O. musefolia. O. muszefolia — mu-se-fol’-i-a (Musa-leaved), Kunze. A very pretty and distinct, stove species, native of Ceylon and the Malayan Islands. It is a plant of dwarf, compact habit, and is best adapted for growing on mounds of peat. As in O. articulata and O. Cumingii, the stalks, din. to lin. long, are jointed near the base, but the shoots are different in texture, being of a more woody nature than those of any other dwarf-growing kind, wide-climbing, and clothed with adpressed scales, curving upwards to where they bear their fronds, singly or in tufts of from two to five, and then downwards. The fronds, of a somewhat leathery texture, 6in. to 12in. long and lin. to lin. broad, Fig. 1. Oleandra Cumingii longipes ( nat. size). are gradually narrowed towards both ends, and naked or slightly hairy on their midrib. The very prominent sori (spore masses) are disposed in two irregular rows, one on each side of and near the midrib. The whole plant is of a fine, dark green colour.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 302. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 481. OLEANDRA. 7 O. m. Moritzii—Mor-itz’-i-i (Moritz’s), Kunze. This variety differs from the species only through the rougher nature of the scales covering the shoots, and through the disposition of its fronds, which are more widely scattered.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 302. O. neriiformis—ne-ri-if-or’-mis (Nerium or Oleander-like), Cavanilles. This, the most striking species of the genus, and which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1848, has a wide range of habitat. It is found in a wild state from New Granada and Guiana to Brazil and Peru, also in Fiji, New Guinea, Samoa, Aneiteum, Northern India, the the Malaccas, and on the Guinea Coast. haustive work on “ Ferns of British India,” states that it is found on the Anamallays, and Philippines, Beddome, in his ex- on the Western slopes of the Neilgherries, in ravines in Ouchterlony’s Valley, at an elevation of 5000ft., &c. Its mode of growth is peculiar, it being distinct in this respect, not only amongst Oleandras, but also amongst the whole family of Ferns. S UTP Dine sf S WW) i SS SS { ye pe i = Hi \ MA SS <7 Cw % gy | ay i EE SS PSS a Fig, 2. Oleandra neriiformis (much reduced). The rootstocks or shoots, which attain 4ft. in length and branch freely, are of a hard, woody nature, and as thick as one’s little finger ; they are jointed at irregular intervals and covered with brown, adpressed scales, which, in the older portions, are black and shining. A peculiarity 8 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. of these shoots is that they are generally found intertwined like a cluster of snakes: some are upright, while others lie more or less close to the ground, and throw out long, wiry roots in greater quantities than those of upright growth. The fronds are produced sometimes in opposite pairs, sometimes in whorls of three or four, at or near the summit of the terminal shoots, or sometimes from side branches, which are also very scaly (Fig. 2 is reduced from Col. Beddome’s “Ferns of British India,’ by the kind permission of the author). They are of a bright yellowish-green and of a somewhat leathery texture, 6in. to 18in. long, jin. to Idin. broad, narrowed gradually towards both ends, slightly hairy on their under-surface, and smooth on the margin. The stalks on which these fronds are borne differ from those of nearly all other species, inasmuch as they seldom exceed lin. in length, and are also jointed at their base, but the joint is generally hidden by the scales of the shoot which surround it. The very abundant sori (spore masses) are disposed in two rather irregular rows near the midrib.— Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 156; Filices Exotic, t. 58. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 481. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 264. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vii., t. 16. O. n. hirtella—hir-tel’-la (slightly hairy), Miguel. This is probably the most distinct of the several varieties related to the above species. It is a South American plant, with fronds of thinner texture and of a more or less hairy nature, and with the sori (spore masses) often in an irregular, wavy line, and not close to the midrib, as in O. articulata.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 302. O. nodosa—no-do’-sa (knotty), Presi. A beautiful, free-growing species, native of the West Indies and Guiana, where it has been found covering the stems of dead trees. It is readily distinguishable from all others by the trailing nature and satiny gloss of its shoots, and by the disposition of its fructification, which is irregularly scattered. The plant is of medium size, of a cheerful, bright green colour, and easily cultivated, especially when planted on partly-decayed vegetable matter. The venation of the fronds is particularly attractive and very conspicuous when seen from below, as they are of a semi-transparent, though somewhat leathery ‘Yyomsjnyg ‘Asojoasesuog ayy Jo anuany jouuag OLEANDRA. 9 texture ; they are Gin. to 12in. long, 1din. to 22in. broad, slightly wavy, and pointed at their summit. The stalks, 2in. to 6in. long and often blackish, are jointed not far from the base. The abundant and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are scattered, but placed nearly all in the inner half of the frond.— Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 157. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i, p. 481. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vii., t. 17. O. Sibbaldi—Sib-bald’-i (Sibbald’s). A variety of O. Cumingii. O. Wallichii—Wal-lich’-i-i (Wal- lich’s), Hooker. According to Beddome, this tho- roughly distinct and somewhat scarce species is indigenous in Northern India, from Simla and Kumaon in the West to Bhotan in the East, also in Assam and Khasya, where it is reported at 7000ft. elevation. Although of the same habit as the other species, it differs in general aspect from all of them. Its most distinctive character Pill resides in the margins of its fronds, which are furnished with numerous short hairs along all their length (Fig. 3 is reduced from Col. Beddome’s “Ferns of British India,” by the . on Fig. 8, Oleandra Wallichit kind permission of the author). These fe uiat ee fronds, 6in. to 12in. long and jin. to 1din. broad, are abundantly produced from branched, horizontally-trailing shoots, which are densely clothed with spreading scales of a rusty-brown colour. They are usually of a dull green colour, disposed about 2in. apart, and 10 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. borne on short stalks jointed close to the base, so that their very short articulation is concealed among the scales. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous line or chain close to and parallel with the midrib.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 158. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 481. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 265. O. Welwitschii— Wel-wit’-schi-i (Dr. Welwitsch’s). This is a variety of O. articulata. OLFERSIA—Ol-fer’-si-a. See Acrostichum. CHAPTER IL ONOCLEA, Mettenius. (On-oc’-1é-a. ) Sensitive and Ostrich-feather Ferns. )JHIS genus, which comprises only three species of Ferns inhabiting cold and temperate regions, derives its name from onos, a vessel, and kleio, to close, in allusion to the singularly rolled-up character of the fructification. It is a small sub- division of the tribe Dicksoniew, and forms, in Hooker and Baker’s “Synopsis Filicum,” Genus 9. The distinctive characters of Onoclea are so striking that the plants cannot possibly be mistaken. The principal of these characters is the disposition of the sori (spore masses), which form a fertile frond entirely differing from the barren ones in texture as well as in general appearance. They are globose, situated on the veins of the changed or contracted leaflets, with the revolute (turned-back) margin of which they are quite concealed. Sometimes the sori are covered with a very thin, delicate, half-cup-shaped involucre, originating from the under-side of the sorus; in many instances, however, this covering is wanting. In one of the three species, O. sensibilis, the stems are of an underground-creeping nature ; whereas in the others the stem, or caudex, occupies an upright position. In all cases the fronds are stipitate (borne on stipes or stalks), pinnate (once divided to the midrib) or pinnatifid (divided half-way to the midrib), and their veins are either free or intercross one another. Onoclea and Struthiopteris have been united by Mettenius, the plants, of a hardy nature, being natives of North America, Sikkim, Japan, and 12 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. Eastern Europe. Though the genus has no British representative, yet the most beautiful species, Onoclea (or, as it is usually called, Struthiopteris) germanica, is stated by Correvon, in his “ Fougéres rustiques” (p. 65), to belong to the flora of Eastern and Central Europe, being found in Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Finland, Denmark, and Russia, as well as in Asia Minor, Siberia, and as far as Kamtschatka. Culture. These plants require an abundance of water at the roots all the year round, and are best adapted for planting out in the hardy rockery or Fernery, as pots scarcely afford them sufficient accommodation for the full development of their rhizomes or stolons, which, in some instances, extend a very long distance. In the case of Onoclea germanica of Hooker, with which Onoclea Struthiopteris: of Hoffmann and Struthiopteris germanica of Willdenow are identical, the plant is provided with stolons, which are said by Sachs to originate from buds formed on the stalks near the base. These organs run underground for several inches or a foot, then rise to the surface and there thicken into a short, upright stem covered by overlapping stalk- bases, and throw up from their summit a grand vase-like circle of foliage composed of two distinct sorts of fronds—the barren ones, which are numerous and produced early in the spring, and the fertile ones, which are few in number and produced late in the summer. The fertile fronds are contracted, much shorter than the others, and very rigid. The soil which Onocleas prefer is a compost of three parts of good strong loam and one of leaf-mould. Great care should be taken that at all times of the year their roots should be kept in a damp state. Some magnificently cultivated examples of these Ferns exist at the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, where Mr. R. I. Lynch has had the good idea of planting them close to the edge of a pond, with the result that O. sensibilis rivals in size and majesty the Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) itself. Onocleas may be increased by means of spores, but their. propagation is effected usually by division of their underground rhizomes, or of their stolons, an operation which, as the plants are of a deciduous nature, is best performed when they are at rest, from October to March. ONOCLEA. 18 Species and Variety. O. germanica—ger-ma’-nic-a (German), Hooker. This beautiful species, usually found in gardens under the name of Struthiopteris germanica, is the strongest-growing species known. Eaton, in his splendid work, “Ferns of North America,” says: “The Ostrich Fern is one of our finest Ferns, being surpassed in grandeur only by Acrostichum aureum, Woodwardia radicans, and perhaps Osmunda regalis. Its grand, vase-like circle of foliage is often higher than a man’s head, and sometimes extends above his utmost reach.” We have never seen it attain such dimensions in this country, its broadly-spear-shaped fronds seldom reaching more than 4ft. in length under culture. The places where this Fern attains the dimensions stated by Eaton are in low grounds, especially in fine alluvial soil, subject to the overflow of rivers, from the Saskatchewan and Lake Winnipeg to New Brunswick, and southward to Pennsylvania and Illinois. There, it is stated, the barren fronds attain 10ft. in length. Under cultivation these are much shorter, narrowed from the middle to the base, and abruptly terminate in a point at their summit; they are furnished with numerous stalkless leaflets, the lowest being wavy and thrown back, and many of them pinnatifid (again divided half-way to the midrib). The leaflets are of a light green colour and of a soft, papery texture, and they are frequently injured by late spring and early autumn frosts. The fertile fronds, produced only in autumn or late in the summer, are disposed in the middle of the crown and perfectly erect ; they are much shorter than the barren ones, and much contracted. The lobes of the leaflets have their margins much recurved, so that the whole leaflet forms a somewhat articulated, pod-like body. The sori (spore masses) are covered by a delicate, cup-shaped involucre of a very fugacious nature. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 161. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 497. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., t. 73. O. orientalis—or-i-en-ta’-lis (Eastern), Hooker. This, the Struthiopteris pennsylvanica of Willdenow, is by some authors considered as simply a form of 0. germanica, which it greatly resembles, though its fronds are not attenuated at the base, the lower leaflets being as long 14 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. as those of the middle of the barren frond. It is a native of Pennsylvania, Hakodadi, Japan, and Assam, and is reported as found in Sikkim at 12,000ft. elevation. As showing differences between this species and O. germanica, Correvon states (“Les Fougeres rustiques,” p. 65) that the pinnules (leafits) are much longer, and have also an oblong-spear-shape quite different ; that in the “Jardin Alpin,’ where it has been grown for five years under similar conditions, it is much more vigorous than O. germanica, which, there, is preserved alive only with great difficulty ; that the colour of its foliage is much darker, and that the production of its fertile fronds is more backward than in that species—Hooker, Second Century of Ferns, t. 4; Species Filicum, iv., p- 161. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii, p. 497. Correvon, Les Fougéres rustiques, p. 65. O. sensibilis—sen-sib’-il-is (sensitive), Zinncus. This beautiful Fern is undoubtedly one of the oldest, if not even the very oldest, of exotic Ferns introduced to Europe, for, according to Lowe, it was imported in 1699 from North America. Eaton says it is to this day found growing wild in wet meadows and thickets from New Brunswick to Saskatchewan, extending south- ward through Dacotah, Kansas, and Arkansas to Louisiana, and eastward to St. Augustine, Florida ; and that it is in fact one of the commonest Ferns of North America, often occupying large patches of land, to the partial exclusion of other plants. Though this highly interesting Fern is not found in Western America Fig. 4. Onoclea sensibilis, showing Habit Or in Kurope, oddly enough, it frequently occurs and Portions of Fertile Frond and Barren Leaflet. (Habit, much reduced ; Portions, } nat. size in the pleasing, soft, pale green colour of the in Japan and Siberia. Its main attraction lies lovely barren fronds, broadly triangular in outline, long-stalked, and cut down nearly to the midrib into oblong-spear- shaped leaflets, which are wavy or slightly toothed at the margins (Fig. 4). The middle of the frond is winged from the basal or from the second pair of leaflets, the wing at the base being very narrow, but gradually widening ONOCLEA. 15 towards the summit. These barren fronds sometimes reach 13ft. in length, especially when the plants are well established in a naturally and constantly moist part of the rockery, and, as they are borne on stalks of about the same length, they attain about 3ft. in height, a result never attained under pot- culture. The texture is herbaceous (soft and papery), the surfaces are perfectly smooth, and the under-side is slightly bluish. The fronds do not last long when cut, even when put in water, but shrivel almost immediately, showing a disposition to fold their leaflets face to face, for which reason, Eaton says, the plant has received the popular name of “Sensitive Fern.” The foliage of this Fern is also very sensitive to a cold temperature, for the first autumn frosts always destroy it, and the late spring frosts which we sometimes experience in May and June have the same injurious effects. These remarks apply to barren fronds only, which are by far the handsomer and the more numerous. Fertile fronds are not very common, and are so unlike the barren ones that no one unacquainted with the plant would suppose them to be related to each other. Both kinds are produced from a thick, fleshy rhizome which runs underground; the fertile ones stand about half the height of the barren ones, and are perfectly rigid and nearly black when fully developed. Another peculiarity is that they dry up in winter, but remain erect during the following summer, so that a fruiting plant often bears fertile fronds of two years’ growth. The involucre with which the sori (spore masses) are covered is globose, and bursts at the summit.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 160. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 497. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vi., t. 1. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii, t. 72. O. s. obtusilobata—ob-tu-sil-ob-a’-ta (having blunt lobes), Schkuhr. A rare, abnormal form, in which the leaflets of some of the barren fronds become again pinnatifid and more or less contracted, but when grown side by side with the species this variety frequently resumes its normal characters.— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii, p. 497. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vi., p. 7. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., p. 199. CHAPTER IV. ONYCHMIUM, Sy = 2 f Sth = S S77, { 2 (OE / le Osmunda regalis japonica corymbifera G nat. size). OSMUNDA. 39 the Teign, and at Ivy Bridge, on the Erme, in Devon, to Speke, between Crosby and Formby, and on Chat Moss, near Liverpool, as well as from Low- gelt Bridge, Allowby, and Keswick, in Cumberland, to Leith Hill and near Dorking, in Surrey. It is also found in the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, Warwickshire, Kent, and many other places too numerous to be mentioned. Of all Ferns belonging to the Flora of Great Britain, probably O. regalis is the one which most attracted the attention of early writers, for we find that Gerarde, in his ‘“ Herbal,” published in 1597, speaking of this Fern, says : “Tt groweth in the midst of a bog at the further end of Hamp- stead Heath, from London, at the \ LQ bottome of a hill adjoyning to Sy Ly &e., &e.”’ Things have greatly S LS changed since Gerarde’s time in iz regard to British plants of all SE NY >>, kinds whose habitats were situated in the vicinity of large towns. O. regalis is the typical Flowering Fern, and in this : ‘ : Fig. 18, Portion of Frond of Osmunda regalis country varies little in general & maak. dice), appearance. Its rootstock is so covered with overlapping stalk-bases of former growths and by interlacing roots that the whole forms a massive, spongy clump of great thickness ; and a peculiarity of this species resides in its sending out strong, blackish rootlets in great abundance, some of which creep in an upward direction between the scales, while others pierce directly through them, thus binding the whole together and giving it great strength and solidity. Most of the 40 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. fronds, which are borne on firm, erect, naked stalks 1ft. to 14ft. long, and are of variable length and more or less graceful habit, according to the position in which the plants grow, are barren and strictly bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib). When fertile they have their upper part transformed into a bipinnate, panicled mass of fructification formed of cylindrical leafits (see Fig. 13, reduced from Col. Beddome’s “Ferns of Southern India,” by the kind permission of the author). The barren leaflets, 6in. to 12in. long and 2in. to 4in. broad, are furnished with stalkless or short-stalked leafits lin. to 2in. long, din. to Zin. broad, of a soft, papery texture, and of, a full, herbaceous green colour.—Hooker, British Ferns, t. 45. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 530. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i., t. 28. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 76. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., 1,3. Druery, Choice British Ferns, p. 113. If grown in pots, the Royal Fern must have good drainage and an abundant and continuous supply of water. It is easy of cultivation, within the reach of all Fern-lovers, and may be readily propagated from spores, which germinate freely. O. r. cristata—cris-ta’-ta (crested), Moore. This very decorative form is the only really striking British variety of the Royal Fern. It differs essentially from the typical species, not only in its totally distinct habit, but also in the size of its fronds, which are much shorter and much more massive: not only is their summit heavily tasselled, but all the leaflets bear at their extremity a large, overlapping crest, which of course gives the plant a more drooping aspect. The whole plant, of a compact habit, seldom reaches over 2ft. in height, and is of a darker green colour than the species. The foliage, being of a substantial texture, possesses the advantage of remaining on the plant a much longer time than that of any other Osmunda of the bipinnate section. O. r. cristata is quite as hardy as the popular species, and readily reproduces itself from spores, which are very abundant.—Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 530. Druery, Choice British Ferns, p. 114. O. r. gracilis—grac’-il-is (slender), Link. This variety, which is also found in gardens under the name of O. spectabilis, is a charming, delicate-looking Fern, native of North America, OSMUNDA. 41 with bipinnate (twice-divided) fronds about lft. long, borne on slender stalks of the same length; they are furnished with numerous and distantly-placed leaflets, each of which has from six to eight pairs of leafits and a larger terminal one, all being short-stalked and of a pale green colour. For Fig. 14 we are indebted to Messrs. W. and J. Birkenhead.—Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 4, O. r. japonica—jap-on’-ic-a (Japanese), Thunberg. In this curious, greenhouse variety, which is found in Japan and on the Himalayas, the barren and fertile fronds are often quite distinct, the latter being developed first and soon disappearing. It also occasion- ally happens that some of the y lateral leaflets become fertile, “of whilst the terminal ones remain barren.— Hooker, Synopsis Fili- Se cum, p. 427. OVP O. r. j. corymbifera— yy Zug cor-ymb-if’-er-a (corymb- bearing), Jfoore. This very distinct and beautiful, Japanese Fern, of dwarf habit, is unquestionably ix vy Apia > © Aad y allies the best Osmunda for decora- oS SSS s tive pElperess and vey ecially for Fig. 14. Osmunda regalis gracilis pot culture, yet introduced (see (much reduced). Plate, for which we are indebted to Messrs. W. and J. Birkenhead). Its fronds are crowded ; their stalks, quite smooth, slender, and of a bright rosy-pink colour, rise to a height of about 4in., and support fronds of triangular outline that bend away almost horizontally from the common centre in all directions. In young plants each rachis or midrib usually carries two pairs of opposite leaflets and a terminal one ; each of the lower leaflets has a short footstalk, and a spear-shaped or nearly oblong blade, which has two rather larger lobes at the base and is cut at the summit into 42 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. several rounded divisions; occasionally the blade forks and each division is crested. The second or anterior pair of leaflets are shorter, almost stalkless, without basal lobes, and with the divisions at their extremity less divided. The terminal leaflet more or less resembles those of the lowest pair. The compact, dwarf habit of the plant, the distinct. cristation of the leaflets, and Fig. 15. Osmunda regalis palustris G nat. size). the peculiar soft colour of the fronds, which makes a pleasing contrast to every other Fern, combine to give this Osmunda a unique character. Its fertile fronds, which are generally quite distinct from the barren ones, are produced very sparingly and of short duration. This variety reproduces itself true from spores ; although usually deciduous, it retains its foliage all the year when kept in a warm greenhouse—Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 530. OSMUNDA. 43 O. r. palustris—pal-us’-tris (marsh-loving), Sturm. This diminutive form of the Royal Fern is of an evergreen nature, and, though quite hardy in ordinary seasons, succeeds best under greenhouse treatment. It is a native of Brazil, and possesses some very useful decorative qualities. The slender and elegant fronds are abundantly produced from a woody rootstock ; they are upright or slightly arching and bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib), with oblong leafits generally entire, except the terminal one, which is larger than the others and frequently lobed (see Fig. 15 and Coloured Plate). The stalks are of about the same length as the leafy portion of the fronds, of a bright crimson, and quite smooth. On first unfolding, the young fronds are of a beautiful rosy-crimson tint, which is gradually replaced by a pale green colour. This variety reproduces itself readily from spores, which are abundantly produced and germinate very freely. —Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 530. O. spectabilis—spec-ta’-bil-is (showy). Synonymous with 0. regalis gracilis. O. Vachellii—Va-chel’-li-i (Vachell’s). This is identical with O. javanica. PARAGRAMMA. PATANIA—Pat-an’-i-a. See Dicksonia. Par-ag-ram’/-ma. See Polypodium. CHAPTER VII. PELLAA, Link. (Pel’-lee-a.) Clif? Brake Ferns. HE name of this genus is derived from pellos, dark-coloured, in reference to the dusky colour of the fronds of certain species. Pellaas, which in Hooker and Baker’s “Synopsis Filicum”’ form Genus 30, may be considered an important and very interesting section of the tribe Pteridew. In habit of growth, as also in geographical distribution, they are closely allied to Cheilanthes, from which they differ principally through the continuous nature of their involucre (covering of the spore masses). The distinguishing characters of the plants belonging to this genus reside in the disposition of the sori (spore masses), which are intramarginal (within the margin), terminal on the veins, which in nearly all cases are free, at first dot-like or decurrent on the veins, but soon running into a line; also in the character of the involucre, which is formed of the more or less changed edge of the frond, quite continuous and sometimes very narrow. This genus is widely distributed and comprises about sixty species of stove and greenhouse Ferns ; but it has no British representative. According to the presence or- absence of various distinctive characters, Pella has been subdivided into four sections as follow: AxLosorus (All-os-o’-rus), Presi. The plants of this section have fronds of a leathery texture, in which the veins are not perceptible. The ultimate segments of the frond are at least twice as long as broad, often revolute at the margin, and the involucre is broad and conspicuous. One of the species PELL/AEA. 45 best illustrating this section is P. atropurpurea. Two other species formerly known under the name Allosorus are now classed under Cryptogramme and Pteris respectively. CHEILOPLECTON (Cheil-op-lec’-ton), Fée. The foliage of the plants comprised in this section is either of a soft, papery texture or somewhat leathery, and the veins are clearly visible; the involucre is broad, and, in most of the species, is rolled over the spore masses till full maturity. This section is best represented by P. gracilis. Hoxcocuitana (Hole-och-le’-na), Baker. In this very small section the plants much resemble in texture those of Platyloma, and are provided with the same very narrow involucre; in fact they only differ through their reticulated venation (netted veins), as may be remarked in P. Burkeana. Pratytoma (Plat-yl-o’-ma), J. Smith. This forms perhaps the most distinct section of the genus, the fronds of the plants belonging to it being of a leathery texture, with the veins usually hidden and the ultimate segments broad and flat. Another distinctive character resides in the nature of the involucre, which is so narrow that it is soon hidden by the fruit. A very good representative of this section is P. rotundifolia. Culture. This genus contains many gems among Ferns which, as regards beauty and usefulness, may be said to vie with Cheidanthes, Gymnogramme, and Nothochlena. Coming as they do from various and distantly-situated parts of the globe—from North and South America, New Zealand, the Himalayas, the Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, &c.—they are well adapted for the ornamentation of the stove and of the greenhouse alike; such species as P. falcata and P. rotundifolia are, in fact, very nearly hardy in some favoured parts of this country. All the Pellaas are of small or medium dimensions, and are very useful for planting in rockeries or in small hanging baskets, in which positions they are much more effective than when grown in pots. The greater number of these plants being found growing in a natural state amongst the crevices of rocks, it is at once obvious that they require but little soil, and that a comparatively exposed situation suits them best. They flourish in a compost of a light and very porous nature, such as a mixture of two 46 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. parts peat, one part loam, and one part silver sand, or, better still, pulverised old mortar, in which their thin, fibrous roots delight to run. Pelleas should not at any time be allowed to get dry at the roots; yet, on the other hand, their foliage should never be wetted. They prefer being kept close to the light, which is never too strong for them, provided they are sheltered from the direct rays of the sun. Most of the known species of Pellwa are readily propagated by means of spores, which are abundantly produced and germinate freely. Those species which are provided with running rhizomes may be propagated by division, which operation is most successfully effected during March and April. Principal Species and Varieties. P. (Platyloma) adiantoides—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; ad-i-ant-6-i/-dés (Adiantum-like), Lowe. This handsome, vigorous, greenhouse species, better known in gardens, where it is very extensively grown, under the names of Preris adiantifolia, P. adiantoides, and P. latifolia, is a native of the West Indies. Its handsome fronds, borne on black stalks 1ft. or more in length and of a shining nature, are 1}ft. to 2ft. long, broadly egg-shaped, and bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib). They are furnished with leaflets which, at the base of the frond, have from seven to ten leafits, the rest gradually decreasing upwards to a simply Fig. 16. Portion of Frond of Pellwa adiantoides (nat, size), bluntly toothed when barren, more entire and pinnate apex. The leafits are egg-shaped and sharp-pointed when fertile; those next to the midrib are occasionally auricled (eared) at the base, while the terminal one is usually somewhat halbert-shaped. The sori (spore masses) form a narrow, continuous line along the margins (Fig. 16). The whole plant is of a particularly dark green colour, and its general appearance is that of a large form of P. hastata.—Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 33. PELLAZA. 47 P. (Allosorus) alabamensis — All-os-o’-rus ; al-ab-a-men/-sis (from Alabama), Baker. Cheilanthes alabamensis, of Kunze, is another name for this very pretty, greenhouse species, which, according to Eaton, is found growing wild on rocks—certainly on sandstone, and perhaps on lime rocks—along the banks of the rivers of Eastern Tennessee, and the Western parts of Virginia and North Carolina ; in Franklin County, Kentucky ; in the valley of the Cohaba River, Alabama ; at the mouth of Rio Pecos, Texas; and along the lower Rio Grande. The broadly-egg-shaped fronds, borne on wiry, polished, blackish stalks 2in. to 4in. long and covered at the base with fine woolly scales of a reddish-brown colour, are produced from a short-creeping and _ branched rootstock, which is covered with similar scales. They are 4in. to 8in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, bi- or tripinnatifid (twice or three times divided nearly to the midrib), and furnished with numerous leaflets of a somewhat leathery texture. The leaflets are closely placed and cut down nearly to the midrib into numerous narrow-oblong segments, most of which are entire, but the lowest are sometimes again pinnatifid; they are naked on both surfaces, and the sori (spore masses) are covered by a rather broad involucre of a parchment- like texture—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 89, t. 1038; Filices Exotica, t. 90. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., t. 57. P. (Allosorus) ambigua—All-os-o’-rus ; am-big’-ti-a (ambiguous), Baker. A greenhouse species, native of New Granada, with fronds oblong, simply pinnate (once divided to the midrib), or bipinnate at the base, and borne on wiry, erect, polished, dark chestnut-brown stalks 6in. to 9in. long. These fronds are usually 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, and furnished with narrow leaflets 1}in. long and of a somewhat leathery texture, with their margin incurved. The brown, continuous involucre, of a papery texture, is mapped out into a series of roundish depressions, the two opposite edges interlacing by a marginal fringe, and sometimes concealing the dark, polished midrib.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 147. P. (Allosorus) andromedefolia—aAll-os-o’-rus ; an-drom’-ed-e-fol’-i-a (Andromeda-leaved), /ée. A comparatively strong-growing, greenhouse species, native of California, and extending southward along the Andes of Chili, also of Cape Colony. Its 48 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. very elegant fronds, borne on strong, upright stalks Gin. to 9in. long, of a pale brown colour, and clothed at the base with reddish-brown scales, are broadly egg-shaped, 6in. to 12in. long, and tri- or quadripinnate (three or four times divided to the midrib). The leaflets, of a rigid nature, are broadly spear- shaped ; the lowest are furnished with several narrow-oblong leafits, the lower segments of which are sometimes slightly branched; the ultimate divisions, seldom more than jin. long, are narrow-oblong, blunt, with enrolled edges ; all are of a leathery texture, with both surfaces naked. The wrinkled involucre is scarcely changed from the substance of the frond, sometimes nearly meeting edge to edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 149. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. P. (Molcochleena) angulosa — Holc-och-le’-na ; ang-ul-o’-sa (angular), Baker. A strong-growing, stove species, native of Mauritius, Bourbon, and Madagascar. The stalks of the fronds are strong, upright, 6in. to 12in. long, of a dark chestnut-brown colour and polished nature. The fronds are sub- deltoid (somewhat in shape of the Greek delta, A), being Gin. to 12in. each way and twice or three times divided to the midrib. The upper leaflets are simple and cordate (undivided and heart-shaped), stalked, lin. to 1din. long, and din. to jin. broad; their margin is not toothed but is sometimes undulated. The lower leaflets are more spear-shaped than the upper ones, and are furnished with several similar leafits }in. or more apart, sometimes divided again below. All are of a leathery texture, with both surfaces naked, but their midrib is hairy and their veins are copiously netted. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous line to the summit of the segments, ultimately concealing the reflexed involucre——Hooker, Species Filicum, il, p. 214, t. 126a. P. (Allosorus) angustifolia—All-os-o'-rus ; an-gus-tif-ol’-i-a (narrow- leaved), Baker. This strong-growing, stove species, native of Mexico and Venezuela, is described and figured in Hooker’s “ Species Filicum” under the name of P. decomposita, which name has been abandoned. Its much-divided fronds, 6in, to 12in. long and 3in. to 6in, broad, are borne on strong, erect, naked Pela atropurpurea CG nat. size) PELLALA. 49 stalks 6in. to 12in. long and of a dark chestnut-brown colour. They are broadly oblong, quadripinnatifid (four times divided nearly to the midrib), and furnished with broadly spear-shaped leaflets, the pinnules (leafits) of which are often cut down to the midrib into numerous narrow segments with rolled edges. The fronds are of a somewhat leathery texture and of a pale green colour on both surfaces, the upper one being slightly hairy. The broad involucre, of parchment-like texture, is rolled over the spore masses.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 151, t. 119z. P. a. cuneata—cun-é-a’-ta (wedge-shaped), J. Smith. In this variety, which is of the same habit and possesses the same vigour as the species, the ultimate segments are usually cut down to the midrib, oblong, pointed, din. long, }in. broad, and wedge-shaped at the base.— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. P. (Allosorus) aspera—All-os-o’-rus ; as’-per-a (rough), Baker. This greenhouse species, native of Texas and New Mexico, growing near the Rio Grande, near the Santa Pita Copper Mines, and along the San Pedro River, is rare, even in its own habitats. Its narrowly spear-shaped fronds, 4in. to 6in. long and about lin. broad, are produced from a somewhat ascending, rather short rootstock, and borne on clustered, rather slender stalks of a wiry nature, 2in. to 3in. long, blackish, and more or less densely clothed with narrow scales and hairs of a pale brown colour. They are bipinnate, with their lower leaflets distant and the others more closely set, and all of them are cut down to the midrib into a few narrow or oblong, nearly entire leafits of a somewhat leathery texture, pale green on both surfaces, the upper one rough with harsh, short, simple or forked, whitish hairs. The abundant sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous line along the margin, and are covered by a pale, minutely-toothed involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 111, t. 1084. Haton, Ferns of North America, ii, t. 74. P. (Allosorus) atropurpurea—All-os-o’-rus ; a/-tro-pur-pur’-é-a (dark purple), Link. This greenhouse or nearly hardy species, of medium size, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into Europe in 1770, is stated by Eaton VOL. Ill. E 50 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. to grow in crevices of shaded, calcareous rocks, from Canada to the Rocky Mountains of British America, and southward to Alabama, Arkansas, the Indian Territory, and Arizona; it has also been found in several parts of Mexico, and even in South America, in the Andes of Mecoya, where it is said to grow at 8000ft. to 10,000ft. elevation. Having been first collected about 1736, on the shore of the River Rappahannock, in a shady place by the root of a Juniper, near the promontory called Point Lookout, Eaton takes pleasure in giving it an English name, and calls it “ Clayton’s Cliff Brake.” According to the age of this plant, its fronds, which are produced from a short, knotted rootstock, and borne on upright, rigid, though slender stalks 3in. to 4in. long and more or less woolly, are of different forms and dimensions (see Plate). They vary from 4in. to 12in. in length, from 2in. to 6in. in breadth, and from spear-shaped and simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib) to broadly spear-shaped and furnished with deltoid pinne (leaflets in shape of the Greek delta, A), bearing on each side several nearly stalkless leafits lin. to 2in. long, seldom more than Hin. broad, entire or sharply auricled (eared) at one or both sides at the base (Fig. 17). The fronds are of Fig. 17. Fertile Pinna of Pellea & leathery texture and of a bluish colour, which ee forms a very pleasing contrast with the chestnut- brown tint of the stalks and midribs. The involucre, which is formed of the slightly-altered, incurved edge of the leafits, is eventually almost hidden by the broad line of fructification.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 139. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 66. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., t. 54. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii, t. 30a. (nat. size). P. (Cheiloplecton) auriculata—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; aur-ic-ul-a/-ta (eared), Link. A greenhouse species, of medium dimensions, native of Cape Colony, bearing on flaccid and slightly scaly stalks, 2in. to 3in. long and of a bright PELLAZA. 51 chestnut-brown colour, its narrowly spear-shaped fronds, which are 3in. to 9in. long, lin. to 13in. broad, and only once divided to the midrib, bearing from twelve to eighteen pairs of slightly-stalked leaflets. The leaflets are broader in the barren than in the fertile state, and vary in shape from narrowly-oblong and entire, to auricled at one or both sides at the base, or cut down nearly to the midrib in the lower part into oblong lobes, of a soft, papery texture, and naked on both surfaces. The involucre, which is similar in colour and texture to the frond, is broad and much wrinkled.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 140. Hooker and Greville, Icones Filicum, t. 116. P. (Allosorus) Barklyz—aAll-os-o’-rus ; Bark’-l¥-s (Lady Barkly’s), Baker. Probably the most vigorous of the whole genus, this stove species, native of the Seychelles, where it was found by Lady Barkly and also by Dr. Kirk, has fronds 1ft. or more in length, 9in. broad, deltoid, and quadripinnatifid (in shape of the Greek delta, A, and four times divided half-way to the midrib) ; they are borne on strong, upright, naked, dark brown, polished stalks 1ft. to 14ft. long. The lowest leaflets, Gin. to 8in. long, are almost deltoid; their pinnules (leafits) are largest on the lower side, and are furnished on each side with segments which are cut down to the rachis (stalk) into numerous narrow divisions only }in. long. The texture is leathery, and the rachis and both surfaces are naked. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous line along the opposite edges of the gradually-narrowing segments, so that the broad, pale brown covering, of a thin and transparent nature, usually nearly reaches the tip—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 151. P. (Allosorus) bella—All-os-o’-rus ; bel’-la (handsome), Baker. A greenhouse species, native of California, with narrow, bipinnate fronds, din. to 6in. long, borne on naked, black stalks 3in. long. The leaflets, about zin. long, egg-shaped, and stalkless, are divided into four or six narrow- oblong leafits: these are toothed, rounded at the base, of a leathery texture, dull green on both surfaces, and have their edges strongly revolute—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 477. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 66. P. (Allosorus) Boivini—All-os-o’-rus ; Boi-vi/-ni (Boivin’s), Hooker. This stove species, native of Madagascar, Mauritius, Macalisberg, Ceylon, and the Neilgherries, where it occurs at elevations varying between 3000ft. E 2 52 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. and 5000ft.; comes near the better-known P. hastata in size and habit; but the segments are narrower, and the involucre is formed of the slightly- incurved edge of the leafits.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 147, t. 118a. P. (Allosorus) brachyptera—All-os-o’-rus ; brach-yp’-ter-a (shortly- winged), Baker. Eaton states that this pretty, greenhouse species, of small dimensions, grows in rocky places, in the Sierra of California, at 4000ft. elevation, and that it was first collected in 1869. Its spear-shaped fronds, 4in. to Gin. long and borne on stalks of the same length, are produced from a short- creeping, knotted rootstock, which is chaffy with very a )yZ = narrow, rusty-brown scales ; toothed at their edges. They are bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib), and furnished with very short, Tuh< A oe stalkless pinnules (leafits) - ISS ees often broader than long, seven to nine to a leaflet, ae es closely placed (Fig. 18), of a leathery texture, dull green in colour, pointed at the tip, and rounded at the base; their edge is so conspicuously revolute (rolled in) as to make the leafits appear almost cylindrical. The sori (spore masses), disposed near the end of the veinlets, are covered by the revolute margins of the leafits.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 477. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., t. 47. P, (Cheiloplecton) Breweri—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; Brew’-er-i (Brewer's), Eaton. This is a remarkably pretty, greenhouse Fern, native of North America. Eaton states that it is common in the clefts of exposed rocks in the higher cafions of the Sierra of California, and thence eastward to the East Humboldt Mountains and the Wahsatch; it is also found near Loma, in Colorado, and PELLASA, 58 near the Rio Grande. It was first collected in 1863, by Professor Brewer, near Sonora Pass, at 7000ft. to 8000ft. elevation, and afterwards in Ebbett’s Pass, at the same elevation, and in Mono Pass, at 9000ft. to 10,000ft. elevation. The delicate little fronds, 2in. to 3in. long scarcely lin. broad, narrow-oblong, simply pinnate (once divided to the midrib), borne on tufted, round, very fragile, chestnut-brown stalks 2in. to 3in. long and chaffy only at the base, are produced from a short, stout, ascending rootstock, densely clothed with narrow, light brown scales. The leaflets are usually opposite, the upper ones egg-shaped, undivided and stalkless, the lower ones cleft down the centre nearly to the base into two unequal parts, of which the lower is the smaller, each the same shape as the upper leaflets, and not toothed or further divided, the larger part being about Hin. long and jin. broad. The fronds are of a thick but scarcely leathery texture, pale green, and naked on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous, marginal line, are covered by a broad, thin, and nearly transparent involucre.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 145. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii, p. 66. Eaton, Ferns British and Exotic, 1, t. 48. P. (Platyloma) Bridgesii — Plat-yl-o’-ma; Bridg-e’-si-i_ (Bridges’), Hooker. Eaton says this very pretty, greenhouse species is found growing in clefts of rocks in the Sierra of California, usually above 6000ft. elevation. It has been collected by Professor Brewer, at Ebbett’s Pass, at 9000ft. elevation, in Silver Valley, in the Yosemite Valley, and in other places. Its fronds, produced from a short-creeping rootstock, densely chaffy with narrow scales, and borne on wiry, upright, naked, bright chestnut-brown stalks 2in. to 4in. long, are simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), 4in. to 6in. long, and lin. or less in breadth; they are furnished with six to eight pairs of stalkless leaflets, rounded or heart-shaped at the base, blunt at the summit, of a leathery texture, and glaucous (bluish-green) on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), disposed in a broad, marginal line, are covered by a much- wrinkled, thin, and somewhat transparent involucre protruding beyond the edge of the frond until they arrive at full maturity.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 238, t. 1428. Micholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 66. LHaton, Ferns of North America, i, t. 48. 54 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Platyloma) Brownii—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; Brown’-i-i (Brown’s). This is synonymous with P. paradoza. P. (Molecochlena) Burkeana—Holc-och-lx’-na ; Bur-ké-a’-na (Burke’s), Baker. A stove species, of small dimensions, native of the Cape of Good Hope, Angola, and the Mascarene and Comoro Islands. Its fronds, borne on tufted, zigzag, nearly black, polished stalks 4in. to 6in. long, seldom measure more than 4in. in length and 2in. in breadth. They are furnished in their upper part with several pairs of simple, short-stalked leaflets 14in. long, 4in. broad, quite entire, rounded at the base, and blunt at the point; and in their lower part with two or three pairs of slightly-divided leaflets. These leaflets are of a leathery texture and naked on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), disposed in quite a continuous line round the margin of the leaflets, ultimately hide the reflexed involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 218, t. 126B. Fig. 19. Frond of Pellea calomelanos (4 nat. size), P. (Platyloma) calomelanos—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; cal-om-el’-an-os (beautiful- dark), Link. The specific name of this beautiful, greenhouse species applies to the dark brown colour of its strong, tufted, upright, polished stalks, which are 4in. to Gin. long and slightly scaly towards the base. The fronds (Fig. 19), 4in. to 8in. long and 3in. to 6in. broad, are somewhat in shape of the Greek delta, A, and twice or three times divided to the midrib. The rigid, spreading leaflets are sometimes simply pinnate, but frequently are twice pinnate ; their leafits, borne on-rigid, though slender, black, shining stalks, are jin. to jin. PELLAZA. 55 each way and vary in contour from blunt-heart-shaped to triangular-halbert- shaped, and with the two sides often unequal at the base. The texture of the fronds is leathery, and they are smooth and of a lovely glaucous (bluish- green) colour on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), disposed in a broad line along the margin of the leafits, soon hide the narrow, thin, and transparent involucre. This species is a native of Cape Colony (where it occurs at 4000ft. elevation), Zambesi Land, Angola, and Abyssinia. It is also reported from the Himalayas at an elevation of 6000ft—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 140. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. Botanical Magazine, t. 4769. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 26. P. (Allosorus) consobrina — All-os-o’-rus ; con-so-bri/-na (related), Hooker. A greenhouse species, of large dimensions, native of Cape Colony, Kaftraria, Natal, Abyssinia, &c. Its fronds, 6in. to 12in. long and 4in. to 9in. broad, are borne on strong, erect, naked, polished, dark brown stalks Gin. to 12in. long; they are deltoid (in shape of the Greek delta, A), and three or four times divided nearly to the midrib. The lowest leaflets, also deltoid, have their pinnules (leafits) of the lower side larger than the others; and all are usually cut down into several spear-shaped or deltoid segments of a leathery texture and naked on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous line along the margins, are covered by a moderately broad, thin, transparent involucre, and the edge of the segments is often enrolled.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 145, t. 117A. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ILy Py BG, P. (Platyloma) cordata—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; cor-da’-ta (heart-shaped), J. Smith. This very handsome, greenhouse species is a native of Mexico and the Andes of Peru. Its broadly spear-shaped fronds, 1ft. or more in length and 4in. to 6in. broad, are borne on strong, erect, straw-coloured stalks 6in. to Qin. long, polished, but clothed below with small, pale, spear-shaped scales when young. The leaflets, of the same shape as the fronds, are provided with a straight rachis, the lower ones being slightly branched at the base; their short-stalked segments, oblong or egg-shaped, rounded or heart-shaped at the base, din. to lin. long, and half as broad, are of a somewhat leathery texture 56 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. and blunt at the extremity. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in broad, marginal lines, which soon hide the involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p- 148. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iil., p. 66. P. ec. flexuosa—flex-ti-o’-sa (zigzag-bending), Link. In gardens this variety is usually found under the name of Platyloma flexuosa. It is a North American plant, being found from Austin, Texas, to San Diego County, California, where, according to Eaton, it grows in exposed, rocky places ; it also occurs from Mexico to Peru. Lowe says it was raised from spores in the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1838. The handsome fronds, produced from a rather slender rootstock clothed with narrow, brown scales, are borne on stalks several inches long, more or less furrowed along the front, Fig. 20. Frond of Pellea cordata flexuosa (4 nat. size). gradually passing into a more or less zigzag stalk (Fig. 20). They are from 6in. to 2ft. long, broadly oblong in outline, twice, or the larger ones three times, pinnate, and furnished with usually alternate leaflets and roundish or egg-shaped, distinctly-stalked leafits that are very blunt at their extremity, of a somewhat leathery texture, smooth, and slightly glaucous beneath. The sori (spore masses) form a broad band, continuous along the margin of the fertile leafits, and are covered by a very narrow involucre. On account of its singular habit, the unusual colour of its fronds, and the broad, dark sori, P. ¢. flecuosa may be considered as one of the most distinct plants of the whole genus.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 148. Micholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i, t. 27. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 25. PELLAA. 57 P. decomposita—de-com-pos’-it-a (much divided). An old name for P. angustifolia. P. (Cheiloplecton) deltoidea—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; del-toid’-é-a (in shape of the Greek delta, A), Baker. A greenhouse species, native of Cape Colony, and of little decorative value. It is only interesting inasmuch as it is probably the smallest-growing of the whole genus; its bipinnate, deltoid fronds seldom exceeding 2in. each way, and being borne on wiry, dark chestnut stalks about 1jin. long.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 107. P. (Allosorus) densa—All-os-o’-rus ; den’-sa (dense), Hooker. This pretty, greenhouse species, called in America the “Oregon Cliff Brake,” is, according to Eaton, found growing in clefts of rocks in Oregon ; on the banks of the Rogue River ; near Fort Otford; in the Sierra of California, where it occurs at elevations varying between 6000ft. and 8000ft.; from the Castle Mountains to the Yosemite; and it has been collected at Jackson’s Lake in Wyoming Territory. Its finely-divided fronds, produced from a somewhat slender rootstock that is chaffy with very dark, narrow scales, are borne on densely-tufted, slender but wiry stalks 4in. to 6in. long, of a dark chestnut-brown colour, dull or moderately polished; they are 2in. to 3in. long, lin. to 1din. broad, broadly oblong, and three times divided to the midrib. The leaflets and leafits, generally spear-shaped, are crowded, and are again divided into numerous stalkless, narrow segments, of a leathery texture and smooth on both surfaces, with inrolled edges, and terminating in a sharp point. The sori (spore masses) are‘ covered by a broad, rigid involucre, rolled permanently over them.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 130, % 125, Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii, p. 66. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i., t. 11. P. (Platyloma) Doniana—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; Don-i-a’-na (Don's), Hooker. A stove species, native of the Seychelles, Angola, and Zambesi Land. It. much resembles P. paradoza in size and habit, and is distinguishable from that species mostly on account of the lower part of the midrib of its fronds being black and polished, as well as the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion).— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 187, t. 125. 58 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Platyloma) falcata—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; fal-ca’-ta (sickle-shaped), Fée. This decorative, greenhouse species has a very extensive range of habitat, being found in Tropical Hindostan, the Malayan Peninsula, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, the Kermadec Islands, &c. According to Lowe, it was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, by Allan Cunningham, as far back as 1823. The fronds, produced from a wide-creeping, slender, underground rhizome, and borne on strong, erect stalks 3in. to 6in. long, more or less hairy and scaly, are oblong-spear-shaped, 6in. to 18in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, and only once divided to the midrib (Fig. 21). They are formed of twelve to thirty or more pairs of stalkless or nearly stalkless leaflets 4in. to lin. long and jin. to din. broad, and usually a larger terminal one ; all are spear- shaped or oblong-spear-shaped, usually terminating in a sharp point, and often slightly sickle-shaped, wedge-shaped, enlarged, or heart-shaped at the base ; Fig. 21. Frond of Pellea falcata (; nat. size). their texture is leathery, and their colour a dark, dull green above, paler beneath. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous, broad, marginal line extending from the base to nearly the summit of each fertile leaflet, and soon hide their narrow involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 136, t. 11s. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 308. P. (Allosorus) flayvescens—All-os-o’-rus ; fla-ves’-cens (yellowish), Fée. A strong-growing, stove species, native of Rio Janeiro, where it was gathered by Bongard and by Glaziou. It has little in common with its specific name, for its oblong or broadly spear-shaped fronds, 6in. to 12in. long, dull green and naked on both surfaces, and borne on naked, black stalks Gin. to 12in. long, are produced from a short-creeping rhizome clothed with dark brown scales. They are twice or three times pinnate ; their leaflets are spear-shaped and short-stalked, the lowest, which are the longest, being again Pelleea geranicefolia (nearly nab. size), PELLAA. 59 pinnate, with two or three pairs of blunt segments, the edges of which are strongly revolute (turned back) and of a leathery texture. The sori (spore masses) are covered with a persistent involucre of a firm, crisp nature, with close indentations.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 477. P. (Platyloma) flexuosa—Plat-yl-o’-ma; flex-ti-o’-sa (zigzag-bending). A variety of P. cordata. P. (Cheiloplecton) Fournieri—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; Four-ni-e’-ri_ (Four- nier’s), Baker. This stove species, native of Mexico, is of small dimensions. Its fronds, deltoid and bipinnate (in shape of the Greek delta, A, and twice divided to the midrib), are about 6in. each way, and borne on short, roundish, pale- coloured stalks clothed with sharp-pointed scales of a tawny colour. The stalked leaflets are alternate, the lowest, which are also the largest, being usually 3in. long; their leafits, which are attached to the rachis by a broad base, are distant and sharp-pointed, smooth on their upper surface, and hairy on their under-side. The sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous, marginal line, are covered by a smooth involucre of a peculiarly wrinkled nature.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 476. P. (Cheiloplecton) geranizefolia—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; ger-an-i-w-fol’-i-a (Geranium-leaved), Fée. A greenhouse species, which, according to Kunze, was introduced into this country so far back as 1816; according to Lowe, it was cultivated in the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1838. It has a very extensive range of habitat, being found in Tropical America, from Guatemala southward to Brazil and Peru; in Polynesia, from New Caledonia northward to the Neilgherries, North China, and Sub-tropical Australia, the Mascarene Islands, Zambesi Land, Angola, and Cape Colony. Although of small dimensions, this pretty Fern is extensively used as a decorative plant. Its fronds, in shape of the Greek delta, A, 2in. to 4in. each way, and borne on erect, wiry, polished stalks 6in. to 9in. long and slightly scaly towards the base, are cut down nearly to the rachis into three or four leaflets on each side, of which the lowest pair is much the largest. The leafits on the lower side are much larger than the others and are deeply lobed (see Plate), with narrow- 60 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. oblong segments. They are of a soft, papery texture and bright green colour, and their sori (spore masses), of a reddish-brown colour, are disposed in broad, continuous, marginal lines and covered by a narrow indusium.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 132; Icones Plantarum, t. 915. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 66. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 27. P. (Allosorus) glauca — All-os-o’-rus; glau’-ca (bluish - green), J. Smith. A stove species, of small dimensions, native of Chili and Mexico, with fronds 3in. to 4in. each way, deltoid and quadripinnatifid (in form of the Greek delta, A, and four times divided nearly to the midrib), borne on strong, erect, polished stalks 4in. to 8in. long and of a dark chestnut-brown colour. The lowest leaflets are much the largest, and the leafits on the lower side are also larger than the others; all the leafits are cut down to the rachis into segments, and these are again cut down to the rachis below, the ultimate divisions being about gin. long, narrow-oblong, with inrolled edges more or less notched. The fronds are of a leathery texture, naked on the upper surface, and woolly underneath ; the leathery involucre is rolled down over the spore masses.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 1538. P. Glaziovii—Glaz-i-o’-vi-i (Glaziou’s). Synonymous with P. microphylla. P. (Cheiloplecton) gracilis — Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; grac’-il-is (slender), Hooker. . Although found also in Siberia, Thibet, and Northern India, where it is said to occur at 9000ft. to 10,000ft. elevation, this pretty, delicate, greenhouse species is a thorough North American Fern. Eaton states that it is found growing in crevices of damp and shaded, calcareous rocks, especially in deep glens from Labrador to British Columbia, and southward to Iowa, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania ; also in Colorado, near Breckinridge City ; and adds that, though by no means a common plant, it is found in Sunderland, Massachusetts ; at Trenton Falls, Chittenango Falls, and other deep glens in Central New York ; in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties, Pennsylvania; and in other similar places in Vermont, Michigan, &c. The plant, which Eaton says is the most delicate of all the North American Pelleas, has somewhat the general appearance of Cryptogramme crispa, and is also known in gardens as P. Stelleri. PELL/EA. 61 Its fertile and barren fronds, which are quite distinct in appearance, and borne on slender, straw-coloured, polished stalks 2in. to 3in. long, are produced from a very slender rootstock, scarcely more than yin. in thickness and sometimes 2in. to 3in. long, and so hidden in the crevices of the rocks that it is seldom secured by collectors. Both kinds of fronds are of a thin, papery texture and pinnate, with the lower leaflets sometimes again slightly divided. In the barren fronds, which are shortest, being seldom more than 3in. long and 1}in. broad, the segments of the leaflets, plainly attached to the secondary midrib, are roundish in shape and more or less lobed and toothed on their margins ; in the fertile fronds, which are taller than the barren ones, the segments are more distinct, longer, and narrower. The terminal leaflet of the fronds and the terminal segment of the leaflets are considerably longer than the others. The sori (spore masses) are covered by a broad, continuous involucre of a softer nature even than the frond itself—Hooker, Species Filicum, u., p. 138, t. 1338. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iti, p. 67. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i, t. 54. P. (Allosorus) Greggii—All-os-o’-rus ; Greg’-gi-i (Dr. Grege’s), Mettenius. A greenhouse species, of small dimensions, native of Mexico, with broadly egg-shaped fronds 2in. to 3in. long, produced from a short-creeping rhizome densely clothed with black-brown, toothed scales, and borne on reddish, opaque stalks lin. to 3in. long and slightly scaly. These fronds are twice or three times divided to the midrib and furnished with short-stalked leaflets and stalkless leafits narrowed at the base and of a leathery texture ; their stalkless ultimate segments are oblong and blunt, and have revolute edges, under which the sori (spore masses) are completely hidden.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 477. P. (Platyloma) hastata—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; has-ta’-ta (halbert-shaped), Link. This highly decorative, strong-growing, greenhouse Fern, more generally found in gardens under the name of Pieris hastata, and said by Lowe to have been introduced into England before the year 1822, has a somewhat extensive range of habitat, being found from Cape Colony northward to Natal, Zambesi Land, the Mascarene and the Cape de Verde Islands, and Abyssinia. The fronds, Lft. to 2ft. long, are borne on wiry, erect, dark chestnut-brown, highly-polished 62 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. stalks Gin. to 12in. long; they are oblong in shape and bi- or tripinnate (twice or three times divided to the midrib), their leaflets varying from simply pinnate to copiously bipinnate. The leafits, of a soft, papery texture and yellowish-green colour, are egg-shaped when barren, except the terminal ones, which usually are distinctly halbert-shaped and un- dulated on their margins: these characters are much more con- spicuous when the plant is fertile (Fig. 22 shows barren fronds only). The fronds are smooth on both surfaces, and the sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous, marginal line, are provided with a somewhat narrow, thin involucre, nearly or quite hidden when the spores are ripe—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 145; Filices Exotica, t. 50. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 67. Lowe, Ferns Fig, 22. Pellea hastata : ae (much reduced). British and Exotic, ii., t. 32. P. (Allosorus) intramarginalis — All-os-o’-rus; in-tra-mar-gin-a’-lis (within the margin), J. Smith. A delicate-looking, greenhouse species, native of Mexico and Guatemala, with broadly spear-shaped fronds, 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, twice divided nearly to the midrib, and borne on tufted, upright, dark chestnut-brown, polished stalks 3in. to 6in. long. The spear-shaped leaflets (Fig. 23), 2in. to 3in. long, lin. broad, and opposite, are cut down nearly to the rachis into long, narrow-oblong leafits, of a somewhat leathery texture, pale or glaucous green in colour, and smooth on both surfaces. The abundant and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous, single, intramarginal row, and covered by a broad, somewhat fringed, thin and transparent involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 112. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 67. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 31. PELLAZA. 63 P, i. serratifolia—ser-ra-tif-ol’-i-a (having saw-edged leaves), Hooker. In this variety, which is also known under the name of Preris fallaz, and which partakes of the same habit and dimensions as the species, the pinnules (leafits) are distinctly toothed.—Hooker, Second Century of Ferns, t. 72. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ili., p. 67. P. (Allosorus) involuta—All-os-o’-rus ; in-vol-w’-ta (wrapped up, rolled inward), Baker. This greenhouse species, of small dimensions, is a native of Zanzibar and Cape Colony. Its oblong-spear-shaped fronds, 3in. to 4in. long, lin. to 1in. broad, and three times divided nearly to the midrib, are borne on tufted, wiry, erect, blackish stalks 2in. to 3in. long and more or less scaly throughout. The lower leaflets are opposite, broadly triangular, and cut down into several broadly-triangular leafits, the upper of which are divided into three lobes, while the lower are cut down to the rachis below. The fronds are of a leathery texture, pale green and smooth on both surfaces, and the sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous, marginal line, are covered by a distinct, pale, thin, transparent involucre.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 108. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ili... p: Of, P. (Allosorus) longimucronata—All-os-o’-rus ; long-im-u-cro-na’-ta (long-pointed). This is Fig, 23. Leaflet of Pellea intramarginalis synonymous with P. mucronata. (nat. size). P. (Allosorus) marginata — All-os-o’-rus ; mar-gin-a’-ta (edged), Baker. A stove species, of medium size, native of Tropical America, from Mexico and Jamaica southward to Peru and the Argentine Territory. Its somewhat triangular fronds, 4in. to 8in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, borne on strong, erect, polished stalks 3in. to 9in. long, of a chestnut-brown colour, and slightly scaly towards the base, are three or four times divided nearly to the midrib ; the 64 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. lower leaflets are usually much the largest, and the leafits on the lower are larger than those on the upper side. They are of a somewhat leathery texture, smooth on both surfaces, and the narrow-oblong ultimate divisions have their edges rolled in, thus hiding the spore masses, which are disposed in an uninterrupted line along the margin—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 105. P. (Cheiloplecton) microphylla — Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; mi-croph-yl’-la (small-leaved), Fée. This small, stove species, native of Rio Janeiro, and also known as P. Glaziovii, is of little decorative value. Its roundish fronds, seldom more than in. long and borne on stalks din. to 13in. long, are composed of five blunt lobes, the central the longest, all of a somewhat leathery texture and dull green colour.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 476. P. (Allosorus) mucronata—All-os-o’-rus ; mu-cro-na/-ta (sharply-pointed), Eaton. This very pretty, greenhouse species, of medium size, also known under the names of P. longimucronata and P. Wrightiana, is a native of Western Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona ; it is also reported from Bolivia, but Eaton, who, in his excellent work on “Ferns of North America,” says that it occurs mostly in exposed, rocky places, also states (ii, p. 6) that it is ‘attributed also to California in ‘Synopsis Filicum,’ but probably through some error, as I have seen no true Wrightiana from that state.” Its interesting fronds, deltoid and bipinnate (in shape of the Greek delta, A, and twice divided to the midrib), 3in. to 6in. long and lin. to 3in. broad, are produced from a short, thick, knotted rootstock that is densely chaffy with very narrow scales of a dark brown colour, and are borne on strong, erect, dark brown, polished stalks 2in. to 4in. long. The leaflets of the barren fronds are almost stalkless, roundish or egg-shaped, rounded or even somewhat heart-shaped at the base, but provided with a minute, semi-transparent, sharp point, or mucro, at their extremity. Those of the fertile fronds are rolled in nearly to the midveins and therefore very narrow, often longer than the barren ones, curved upwards, and terminate in a sharp, mucronate point. All are of a leathery texture and of a pale glaucous-green colour on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses) are completely hidden by the broad, leathery involucre, which is permanently PELLAA. 65 rolled over them.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 142, t. 1158. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 67. Laton, Ferns of North America, ii, t. 47. P. (Platyloma) nitida—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; nit’-id-a (bright), Baker. A greenhouse species, of medium dimensions, native of Tropical Australia, with fronds in shape of the Greek delta, A, twice or three times divided to the midrib, 4in. to 6in. each way, and borne on tufted, slender, chestnut- coloured stalks Gin. to 9in. long. The upper leaflets are simple (undivided) ; the lowest, much the largest, are stalked and furnished with a few distant, strap-shaped leafits of thin but firm texture, greyish-green on both surfaces, and having spore masses provided with a very narrow involucre.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 478. P. (Allosorus) nitidula—All-os-o’-rus ; nit-id’-ul-a (somewhat bright), Baker. This pretty little, greenhouse species is only known to come from the Himalayas, where it is said to grow at an elevation of 6000ft. Its finely-cut fronds, 3in. to 4in. long, lin. to 14in. broad, and twice or three times cut down nearly to the midrib, are borne on densely-tufted, slender stalks 3in. to 6in. long, of a dark brown colour and polished except at their base, which is slightly scaly. The leaflets are opposite; the lower ones, in the shape of the Greek delta, A, are cut down to the rachis into a few leafits. The upper leafits are narrow-oblong and entire; the lower ones are again pinnatifid. The abundant sori (spore masses) form a continuous, marginal line, and are covered by a thin, broad, toothed involucre. Cheilanthes nitidula is identical with this species.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 113; Jcones Plantarum, t. 912. P. (Allosorus) ornithopus — All-os-o’-rus ; or-ni’-thop-us (Bird’s-foot Cliff Brake), Hooker. This is an exceedingly pretty, greenhouse species, native of California, where it is found growing commonly on dry rocks-from Mendocino County to San Diego; also on Guadalupe Island. Professor Brewer says: ‘This species is abundant on the very dry mountains in the Western part of the State; it grows often in tufts in the rocks, where it receives no moisture VOL, Il. F 66 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. whatever for several months in summer, and is exposed to an intensely scorching sun” (Haton, ‘Ferns of North America,” ii, p. 12). Its triangular fronds, 4in. to Gin. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, and twice divided nearly to the midrib, are produced from a short, thick, knotted rootstock, densely chaffy with very narrow, dark brown scales, and are borne on stiff, erect, dark chestnut-brown, polished stalks 3in. to 6in. long. The rigid, spreading leaflets are furnished with distantly-placed, stalkless leafits on each side, which are cut at the base into three narrow, mucronate (sharply-pointed) segments, of which the central one is the largest. In very large plants, some of the leaflets are more or less elongated and have from five to seven pairs of leafits. The fronds are of a leathery texture, very pale glaucous-green and naked on both surfaces, and the sori (spore masses) are quite hidden by the broad, toothed, leathery involucre, which is rolled permanently over them.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 144, t. 1164. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 67. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., t. 47. P. (Platyloma) pallida—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; pal’-lid-a (pale), Baker. A greenhouse species, native of Mexico, with oblong-spear-shaped fronds 9in. to 10in. long, 2in. to 24in. broad, twice cut to the midrib, and borne on grey-brown stalks 3in. to 4in. long, clothed with minute, rough, narrow, brown scales. The short-stalked leaflets are distantly placed, and are furnished with oblong, blunt, slightly-lobed leafits; they are of a leathery texture, of a pale greyish-green colour on their upper surface, and thinly hairy underneath. The sori (spore masses) are furnished with a narrow involucre, which is soon hidden.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 478. P. (Platyloma) paradoxa — Plat-yl-o’-ma; par-ad-ox’-a (paradoxical), Hooker. This handsome, greenhouse species, of medium size, native of Queensland and New South Wales, is said by Lowe to have been introduced into England in 1821. It is frequently found in gardens under the name of P. Brownii. The oblong fronds, 6in. to Yin. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, and only once divided to the midrib, are borne on strong, upright stalks Gin. to Yin. long, of a dark brown colour, and slightly woolly. The short-stalked leaflets, four to six to a frond, have a considerable space between them; they are lin. to 2in. long, PELLAEA. 67 din. to lin. broad, spear-shaped, entire, bluntish at the apex, and heart-shaped or roundish at the base. The fronds are of a leathery texture and naked on both surfaces, but the rachis is slightly woolly. The spore masses, disposed in a marginal line, soon hide the involucre.— Hooker, Species Pilicum, ii, p. 185, t. llla; Filices Exoticw, t. 21. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 67. P. (Cheiloplecton) Pearcei — Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; Pear’-ce-i (Pearce’s), Baker. A greenhouse species, native of the Andes of Peru, where it occurs at 6000ft. elevation. It is closely allied to P. Breweri, but has leaflets more compound, and stalks devoid of scales at the base.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 476. P. (Allosorus) pectiniformis—All-os-o’-rus ; pec-tin-if-or’-mis (comb- shaped), Baker. This is a robust, free-growing, stove species, native of Natal, Angola, and the Mascarene Islands. Its spear-shaped fronds, 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, and produced from a stout, short-creeping rhizome, are borne on round, black stalks 2in. to 6in. long and slightly scaly at the base. These fronds are simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), being furnished with narrow, strap-shaped, entire leaflets with revolute margins, blunt at the apex, and heart-shaped at the base. They are of a rigidly leathery texture, green and smooth on both surfaces, and their spore masses are provided with a smooth, pale, firm involucre.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 147. P. (Cheiloplecton) pilosa—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; pil-o’-sa (hairy), Hooker. This stove species, native of Bourbon, is a plant of very distinct appearance. Its barren and fertile fronds, borne on strong, wiry, brownish- black stalks 6in. to 9in. long and more or less clothed with small, narrow scales throughout, are totally different. The barren ones, in form of the Greek delta, A, and 1din. each way, are cut down to within }in. of the rachis ; their lowest leaflets, much the largest, are deeply lobed, with the lobes again notched on the under-side; their lower surface is densely hairy, and their midrib scaly like the stalks. The fertile fronds are larger, and are cut down quite to the rachis, with narrower, longer, and more deeply-divided leaflets ; F 2 68 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. they are of a somewhat leathery texture, and their sori (spore masses) are covered by an incurved involucre of a thin, transparent nature.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 132, t. 1148. P. (Allosorus) pulchella—aAll-os-o’-rus ; pul-chel’-la (pretty), Fée. A remarkably pretty, greenhouse species, found in Western Texas, in New Mexico, and from Mexico to Peru. Regarding its habitat, Eaton, in his exhaustive work on ‘Ferns of North America” (i., p. 81), says: “It probably grows in clefts of exposed rocks, but none of the collectors seems to have made a note of the kind of place where it is found.” Its very elegant, oblong fronds, 3in. to 6in. long, lin. to 3in. broad, and tripinnate (three times divided to the midrib), are produced from a very short, rather stout rootstock, nearly erect, and borne on densely-tufted, wiry, erect stalks 2in. to 3in. long, of a dark chestnut-brown colour and polished nature, except at the base, where they are chaffy with narrow, crisped, nearly black scales. The lower leaflets are broadly triangular, and their spear-shaped pinnules (leafits) are again divided into oblong, blunt segments scarcely more than Hin. long and half as broad. The fronds are of a leathery texture, pale green and smooth on both surfaces, with the edges of the fertile segments much enrolled, and a broad involucre of a thin, papery texture, permanently rolled over the spore masses. —Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 150. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iL, p. 67. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i., t. 11. P. (Cheiloplecton) rigida—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ;_ rig’-id-a (stiff), Hooker. This stove species, of medium dimensions and upright habit, is a native of Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. Its fronds, in the shape of the Greek delta, A, and twice or three times divided to the midrib, are 4in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, and borne on stout, erect, naked or slightly scaly, dark chestnut-brown stalks 4in. to 6in. long. The lowest leaflets, which are the largest, are 3in. to 4in. long, upright, and broadly triangular ; the leafits on their lower side are larger than the others and divided again into narrow- oblong, blunt segments of a somewhat leathery texture and either naked or sometimes slightly hairy on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous, marginal line, are covered by a broad, pale, wrinkled involucre, which is rolled down tightly over them.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 144. PELLALA, 69 P. (Allosorus) robusta—All-os-o’-rus ; ro-bus’-ta (strong), Hooker. In the case of this greenhouse species, native of Namaqua Land, South Africa, it’is difficult to see the meaning of the specific name, as the whole plant does not exceed at most 5in. in height, and it is of the same delicate texture as P. densa; in size and habit it much resembles the common “ Parsley Fern” (Cryptogramme crispa), from which it differs principally in having its barren and fertile fronds similar and the segments smaller (not exceeding fin. in length and yin. in breadth), more crowded, and of a darker green colour. The involucre (covering of the sori) is similar in substance to the frond, and is rolled over the fruit till full maturity—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 147. P. (Platyloma) rotundifolia — Plat-yl-o’-ma; rot-un-dif-ol’-i-a (round- leaved), Hooker. A very useful and pretty, greenhouse species, of drooping habit, native of New Zealand and Norfolk Island, and, according to Lowe, introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1841. The fronds are produced from a stout, scaly, Fig. 24, Frond of Pellea rotundifolia ( nat. size). underground-creeping rhizome, and are borne on wiry stalks more or less hairy, 6in. to 12in. long, and clothed throughout with narrow, chaffy, light brown scales. They are narrow, simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), 6in. to 12in. long, lin. to 1in. broad, and furnished with numerous short-stalked, oblong or roundish leaflets, blunt (Fig. 24) or sometimes provided with a sharp point, or mucro, at their summit. The fronds are of a leathery texture, of a particularly dark green colour and glossy nature, though the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) is conspicuously hairy. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous, broad, marginal line, and eventually hide the very narrow involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 1386; Filices Exotica, t. 48. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 67. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 24a. 70 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Platyloma) sagittata — Plat-yl-o’-ma; sag-it-ta’-ta (arrow-shaped), Moore and Houlston. This greenhouse species, of erect habit and of a somewhat deciduous nature, is the Prerts sagittata of Cavanilles, and the Allosorus sagittatus of Pres]. It is a native of Mexico, and is closely allied to P. cordata, and nearer still to the variety flexuosa, but its fronds are not zigzag, and the habit, instead of being drooping, is upright. Lowe states that P. sagittata was raised from spores at the Royal Gardens, Kew, in the year 1842. Its fronds, triangular and bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib), are pro- duced from a short-creeping rhizome, and borne on pale brown or straw-coloured stalks 8in. to 12in. long. They are 14ft. to 2ft. long, and their Fig. 25. Portion of Fertile Frond of stalked pinnules (leafits), smooth and of a glaucous Pellea sagittata (nat. size). (bluish-green) colour and soft, papery texture, have the singular property of rolling their margins under, and thus becoming quite arrow-shaped when fertile (Fig. 25); in the barren state these leaflets are heart-shaped—Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 28. Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 153, as a variety of P. cordata. P. (Cheiloplecton) Seemanni—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; See-man’-ni (Dr. Seemann’s), Hooker. A greenhouse species, native of Mazatlan, Mexico. It is very like P. auriculata in habit and general appearance, differing from that species principally in its finer venation and narrower involucre.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 141, t. 1172. P. (Cheiloplecton) Skinneri—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; Skin’-ner-i (Skinner’s), Hooker. This stove species, native of Guatemala, is of medium size, its broadly- triangular fronds, 6in. to 12in. long, din. to 8in. broad, and three times cut down nearly to the midrib, being borne on stout, erect stalks 6in. to 9in. long, pale brown or straw-coloured, and slightly hairy. The lowest leafits, lin. to 2in. long and lin. broad, are cut down nearly to the rachis into PELLAA. 71 oblong, sharp-pointed lobes. The fronds are of a thin but firm texture, smooth on both surfaces, and the sori (spore masses), disposed in a continuous, marginal line, are provided with a narrow, thin, transparent involucre.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 141, t. 118. P. (Cheiloplecton) Stelleri—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; Stel-le’-ri_ (Steller’s). A synonym of P. gracilis. P. (Cheiloplecton) Tamburii—Cheil-op-lec’-ton ; Tam-bur’-i-i (from Tambur), Hooker. A very distinct, greenhouse species, of medium size, native of Tambur Valley, East Nepaul, where it was gathered by Dr. Hooker. Its singular fronds, in shape of the Greek delta, A, and about Gin. each way, are borne on erect, polished, bright chestnut-brown stalks 6in. to 9in. long. They are composed of three principal leaflets, the terminal one being cut down nearly to the rachis into several broad, spear-shaped lobes, of which the upper ones are entire and the lower ones larger and waved ; the lateral leaflets have the lobes on the upper side nearly entire, but those on the lower side are prolonged and again deeply lobed, the largest divisions being about lin. deep and }in. broad at the base. All are of a somewhat leathery texture, their under-surface is thinly coated with white meal, and their involucre, of a brownish colour, is continuous, but regularly notched, along the outer edge. —Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 184, t. 129a. P. (Allosorus) ternifolia—All-os-o’-rus ; ter-nif-ol’-i-a (ternate-leaved), Fée. This stove species, which is as pretty as it is interesting, and which belongs to the same group as P. brachyptera, P. mucronata, and P. ornithopus, is a native of Tropical America, being found principally in the Andes, from Texas southward to Peru and Chili. Eaton says of it: “ A common Mexican species, found as far south as Peru, and reappearing in the Hawaiian Islands ; also collected near the head-waters of the Rio Colorado of Texas.” Lowe states that it was received at the Royal Gardens, Kew, from Mr. D. Cameron, in the year 1841. The very elegant, pendulous fronds, Gin. to 12in. long, lin. to 1}in. broad, and borne on tufted, erect, dark chestnut-brown stalks 2in. to 72 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 4in. long, polished above, but densely scaly at the base, are narrow-spear- shaped, and furnished with six to twelve or more pairs of leaflets. These are always opposite, of a leathery texture, and beautiful glaucous-green in colour on each side ; they are cleft down nearly to the base into three narrow, rigid segments, with inrolled edges, thus forming a sort of claw. The involucre (covering of the spore masses) is formed out of the edge of the frond, and Fig. 26. Pellea ternifolia (} nat. size). remains rolled over the spores till they attain their full maturity. For Fig. 26 we are indebted to Messrs. W. and J. Birkenhead.—Hooker, Species Filicum, ii, p. 142; Filices Exoticw, t. 15. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iti, p. 67. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii, t. 54. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 24. P. (Allosorus) Wrightiana—All-os-o’-rus ; Wright-i-a’-na (Wrights). Synonymous with P. mucronata. P. (Platyloma) Zippellii—Plat-yl-o’-ma ; Zip-pel’-li-i (Zippelius’), Baker. A very distinct, stove species, of large dimensions, native of New Guinea, with fronds 13ft. long, 24in. broad, and borne on short, tufted stalks of PELLAEA. 73 a scaly nature. These fronds are simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), with fifty to sixty pairs of opposite, short-stalked, narrow-spear- shaped, blunt, straight or slightly sickle-shaped leaflets, the central ones being lin. to 1jin. long and the lower ones much reduced ; all are of a somewhat rigid, leathery texture, with their upper surface naked, while the lower is scaly on the midribs. The sori, less conspicuous than in most species, are provided with a very narrow involucre, which is soon hidden.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 477. PERANEMA—Pe-ran-e’-ma. See Spheeropteris. PMEGOPTERIS—Phe-gop’-ter-is. See Polypodium. PHLEBIOPMYLLUM—Phleb-i-oph-yl’-lum. See Trichomanes. PMLEBODIUM—Phleb-o’-di-um. See Polypodium. PHOTINOPTERIS—Pho-ti-nop’-ter-is. See Acrostichum. PH YMATODES—Phy-mat-o’-dés. See Polypodium. PHYSAPTERIS—Phy-sap’-ter-is. See Cheilanthes. PHYSEMATIUM—Phy-se-mat’-i-um. See Woodsia. PLAGIOGYRIA—Plag-i-og-y’-ri-a. See Lomaria. CHAPTER Vill PLATYCERIUM, Desvauz. (Plat-yc-er’-i-um.) Elk’s-horn and Stag’s-horn Ferns. N)JHE name Platycerium is derived from platys, broad, and keras, A) a horn, on account of the fertile fronds of these plants being the Acrostichums, the only Ferns comprised. in the tribe Acrostichez, and form, in Hooker and Baker’s “ Synopsis Filicum,” Genus 61, thus occupying an intermediate position between the Acrostichums and the Osmundas. Platycerium is a small group of plants (about half-a-dozen species) of widely-separated habitats, some being found in Temperate Australia, others in the Philippine and Malayan Islands, and one at least in Africa. The genus is well marked, and is rendered very distinct through the repeatedly-forked character of the fertile fronds of most of the species. Besides the unique mode of growth of these Ferns, their distinguishing character resides in the disposition of the sori (spore masses), which form large patches on the lower surface of the fertile fronds, and are in most cases situated at their extremity, which they cover to the length of sometimes quite eight inches: there are, however, one or two exceptional instances in which the sori occupy only the disk or broader portion. The fertile fronds are in all cases, as regards shape, size, and texture, thoroughly different from the barren ones, which are of a peculiar rounded shape, convex, and of a more or less thick, parchment-like texture. There are no British representatives of the genus. GRANDE PEA CR eM PLATYCERIUM. 75 Culture. | With the exception of P. alcicorne, which thrives best in an ordinary greenhouse temperature, all the Platyceriums require stove treatment. They succeed best and become most effective when planted in the fork of an ordinary tree-branch or in an artificial wall-pocket made of virgin cork. P. alcicorne also has a most pleasing appearance when grown as a. basket plant, as its roots, which usually produce young plants on their surface, soon make a perfect ball, imparting a singular effect, growing as it does in all directions—sideways, head downwards, &¢.—with equal vigour. The compost which suits them best is a mixture, in about equal parts, of rough, fibrous peat and sphagnum. The plants are particularly fond of strong light, and should _ receive water at the roots with moderation. The best way to keep them in good con- dition in that respect is to soak them thoroughly, and then to wait until the foliage begins to droop and to pre- sent a soft, withered aspect: Fig. 27. Upper Portion of Fertile Frond of Platycerium exthiopicum (4 nat. size). before soaking them again. Platyceriums are usually propagated by means of young plants produced from the adventitious buds on their roots. P. grande, however, has never been known to produce any, and consequently it must be propagated by means of spores; this method, though somewhat slow, is also resorted to for other species when required in great quantities. Principal Species and Varieties. P. zethiopicum—eth-i-op’-ic-um (African), Hooker. This plant, better known in gardens under the name of P. Stemmaria, is the least-divided of all the species at present known. It is a native of the 76 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. Guinea Coast and Angola, Western Africa, and, though stated to have been brought to Europe as far back as 1822, it was, according to Lowe, not introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, until 1848. Though less known than P. alcicorne in collections, yet it is a very curious and handsome Fern. The barren fronds, stalkless, rounded, convex, and downy when young, have their edge more or less cleft into spreading lobes. The fertile fronds, which are 2ft. to 38ft. long and clustered, are of a pendent habit and twice divided ; their disk and first division are broader than in most other kinds, the patch of fructification surrounding the sinus (depression) between the two horn-like projections, and passing into the fork so as to be shaped like the letter V (Fig. 27). The under-surface of the fertile fronds is covered with a thin, white, cottony down.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 283; Garden Ferns, t. 9. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii, p. 157. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vii., t. 62. P. &. angolense — an-go-len’-sé (native of Angola), Welwitsch. This form differs from the pre- ceding species principally in having a broadly wedge-shaped fertile frond, 9in. broad at the top, without either forks or horns, and with the fructi- Fig, 28. Platycerium alcicorne (much reduced). fication disposed in a .patch nearly as broad as the lamina (limb) of the frond.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 425. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 157. P. alcicorne—al-cic-orn’-€ (Elk’s-horn), Desvaue. Although the commonest species of the genus, this is an extremely interesting Fern, found growing on branches of trees in Australia, Java, the East Indies, Madagascar, and Peru. It is of easy culture, thriving equally PLATYCERIUM. 77 well in the greenhouse, the cool conservatory, or the stove. Of all known Platyceriums it is the one which grows the quickest and which is the most easily propagated from the young plants produced on its roots. According to Lowe, this useful plant was introduced by Mr. Caley into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1808. Its barren fronds are rounded and convex, with edges waved and lobes spreading, and are downy when young. The fertile fronds are 2ft. to 3ft. long, clustered, of somewhat upright habit, twice or three times forked (Fig. 28), and of a thick, leathery texture; their strap- shaped and bluntish ultimate divisions have the fructification disposed in the last forks and at their base in very irregular patches, and the under-surface is covered with a thin, cottony down.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 282. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 157. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vii., t. 63. P. a. majus—ma’-jus (larger), Moore. In this variety, which is a native of Australia and requires a warmer temperature than the species, the foliage is much larger and the entire plant shows a much more robust habit. Its broadly-lobed fertile fronds, borne on stiff, flat stalks, are seldom divided more than once, the limb being elegantly drooping, though the frond as a whole is erect. The barren fronds are roundish, convex, and overlap each other. For Fig. 29 we are indebted to Messrs. James Veitch and Sons.—WNicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iil., p- 157. P. biforme—bif-or’-mé (of two forms), Blume. This stove species, native of Burmah, Singapore, the Malayan Peninsula and Islands, Java, Borneo, the Philippines, &c., is the only species possessing a distinct uniformly fertile segment, and this in some specimens is nearly 1ft. broad. Its barren fronds, which overlap each other, are upright and very thick, especially towards the base, and their edge is so deeply cleft that while they cannot be said to be properly lobed, they are certainly more than sinuated (notched). The fertile fronds, 6ft. to 15ft. long and of an essentially drooping character, are formed of narrow, strap-shaped, barren divisions, and of fertile ones, which are distinctly either spoon-shaped or kidney-shaped, shortly stalked, 6in. to 8in. broad, and entirely covered with fructification, 78 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. their edges being entire and rounded. P. biforme is stated by Nicholson to have been introduced into this country in 1842.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 285. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 157. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 224. Fig. 29. Platycerium alcicorne majus (2 nat. size). P. grande—gran’-dé (large), J. Smith. A magnificent, stove species, which is stated to have been discovered in 1828, and which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, by Mr. Bidwill, in 1842; it is a native of North Australia, Singapore, and the Philippine Islands. The barren fronds, which are very large, stalkless, nearly round, and ascending, have their upper portion divided into a number PLATYCERIUM. 79 of broad, blunt segments (Fig. 30) of a spongy texture and pale green colour, covered whe nyoung with a light, woolly substance, which gradually disappears as the frond becomes mature. The fertile fronds, 4ft. to 6ft. long and of a pendulous nature, are usually produced in pairs and provided with a broadly wedge-shaped disk: this becomes completely covered with the fructification, which forms a large, triangular patch, and it bears at each corner a repeatedly- forked division extending a good distance beyond it, but always remaining barren.— Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 284; Filices Exotica, t. 86. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 326. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p- 157. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vii., t. 64. P. HMillii—Hil-li-i (Hill’s), Moore. This very handsome Fern, native of Queensland, where it was discovered in 1878, is very closely related : Fig. 380. Platycerium grande to P. alcicorne majus—so (much reduced). much so that, until the plants attain their full development, it is very difficult to distinguish one from the other. P. Hillii has been exhaustively described by the late Thomas Moore, in the “ Gardeners’ Chronicle” (New Series, x., p. 429), and we cannot do better than extract from his very accurate description the following: “ The rootstock forms a solid mass closely invested by the sterile fronds. The perfect fronds are erect, 1}ft. long, several spring up close together; in the young state they are clothed with white, stellate (star-like) hairs. The mature fronds are very thinly covered with minute scales, which are eventually rubbed off. The basal portion is about 1ft. high and Sin. broad, tapering gradually down- wards to the short stalk. The ramifications of the lamina (or limb) are 80 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. confined to its upper third; there are two deep incisions near the central part of the apex, the middle segment thus formed being much smaller than the outer ones. The lateral divisions are more compound, being divided. by about three successive furcations into oblong lobes, narrowing towards the apex. The decided dark green colour of the plant is one remarkable feature, the Platyceriums being usually of a greyish hue, from the abundant white, stellate scales spread over their surface.” To the above we may add that the most distinctive character, or at least the one by which P. Hillii can best be distinguished from /P. alcicorne majus, is the repeated furcation of the divisions of the frond. It may also be stated here that its habit is much more rigid, its fertile fronds showing no inclination whatever to become pendulous. The fructification, as in P. alcicorne and its variety majus, is absolutely limited to the extremities of the ultimate divisions of the frond.—Micholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 158. P. Stemmaria—Stem-ma/-ri-a (Stemmaria). A synonym of P. ethiopicum. P. Wallichii—Wal-lich’-i-i (Wallich’s), Hooker. This beautiful and very rare species, native of the Malayan Peninsula, and, according to Beddome, found on the banks of the Irrawaddy and of the Martaban, in Moulmein, is closely related to P. grande. Its barren fronds, like those of that more popular species, are deeply lobed, and their forked divisions are equally inflexed. The fertile fronds are also usually produced in pairs and pendent, but the wedge-shaped disk, which is situated between the two divisions, has a rounded upper edge, and forms a semi-circular projection, upon which may be seen two soriferous (spore-bearing) patches 3in. to 4in. broad, and from each side of this projection is produced a division which is only once-forked. These fronds are of a thick texture and have their under-side matted with a yellowish, woolly pubescence.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 284; Filices Exotic, t. 97. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 158. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 108. P. Willinckii—Will-inck’-i-i (Willinck’s), Moore. This species, native of Java, whence it was introduced into this country in 1875, is thoroughly distinct from all other species at present known. From Thomas Moore’s description, published in the ‘Gardeners’ Chronicle,” — = . J Platycerium Willinckii (much reduced). PLATYCERIUM. 81 of March 6, 1875, p. 302, we extract the following: “ Like its congeners, it is epiphytal, and protects its rootstock by the broad, roundish, imbricating bases of its barren fronds. The fertile fronds, which are produced in threes, issue from the growing point, situated in a notch in the side of the round, close-fitting base of the sterile stem, and at once fall straight down to a length of 2hft.; they are quite narrow in all their parts, the basal portion is upwards of 1ft. long, the branches are entire on one of their margins and repeatedly divided into numerous lobes on the other side.” We may add that the whole plant is of a pale glaucous tint, and that the fructification occupies the terminal lobes only. See Plate——Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 158. PLATYLOMA—Plat-yl-o’-ma. See Pellzea. VOL. III. G CHAPTER IX, PLATYZOMA, Brown. (Plat-yz-o’-ma.) SIN Hooker and Baker’s “ Synopsis Filicum,” Platyzoma, which is a division of the sub-order Gleicheniacew, forms Genus 1. Its name is derived from platys, broad, and zoma, a band, in allusion to the broad ring of the sporangia. It is a monotypic genus, that is to say, it comprises but one species, which, so far as we are aware, has not yet been introduced. Its distinguishing characters are very similar to those of the Gleichenias, to which genus it is closely allied, and, being found growing naturally under similar conditions, its culture would no doubt be the same as that recommended for the members of that beautiful and most interesting group of Ferns. From what may be gathered from dry specimens seen in herbaria, this miniature, Gleichenia-like Fern well deserves to be introduced into our collections, where it would be most welcome as a living plant. The fact of its introduction having been so long delayed is probably due to the same difficulties which surround the importation of Gleichenias, and indeed of most Ferns provided with slender rhizomes of a woody nature. These, we find, travel best when entirely buried in damp soil. P. microphyllum—nmi-croph-yl’-lum (small-leaved), Brown. This stove species, native of Tropical and Sub-tropical Australia, produces, from a creeping rhizome densely clothed with fine, silky scales its fronds 8in. PLATYZOMA. 83 to 12in. long and simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib) ; these are borne on tufted, stiff, upright stalks, and are furnished with small, cucullate pinnae (hood-shaped leaflets) of a leathery texture, scarcely p,in. long. The sori (spore masses) consist of a few stalkless capsules mixed with a substance of a powdery nature, which arise from the extremity of the simple veinlets, and are concealed by the singularly revolute margins of the leaflets. —Hooker, Species Filicum, i., p. 2. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii. p. 159. PLECOSORUS MEXICANUS—Plec-os-o0’-rus mex-ic-a/-nus. See Cheilanthes speciosissima. PLEOCNEMIA—Plé-oc-ne’-mi-a. See Nephrodium. PLEUROGRAMME—Pleur-og-ram’-me. See Monogramme. PCSIA—Pe’-si-a. See Pteris. POLYBOTRYA—Pol-yb-ot’-r¥-a. See Acrostichum. CHAPTER A. POLYPODIUM, Linneus. (Pol-yp-od’-i-um. ) Polypodies. “]0LY PODIUM, the Greek name used by Theophrastus, is applied to plants which, in Hooker and Baker’s “Synopsis Filicum,” form Genus 48; it is derived from polys, many, and podion, a little foot, in allusion to the appearance of the rhizomes and their appendages with which the majority of these plants are provided. The genus is an exceedingly large one—undoubtedly the most extensive of the Natural Order Filices (Ferns), and includes plants of two totally different modes of growth, each series comprising a number of species of each of the different kinds of venation and from all climates. Eaton, in his exhaustive work on “Ferns of North America” (vol. i, p. 116), says: “Mr. John Smith, former Curator of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, has described and carefully distinguished the two modes of growth noticed in Polypodium, under the names of ‘ Eremobryoid’ and ‘ Desmobryoid.’ In the Eremobrya each frond springs from a separate node, more or less distant from its neighbour, and is there articulated with the rhizome; so that, when it has passed its maturity, it separates at the node, and leaves behind a clean, concave scar, as may readily be noticed in P. awreum. The essential distinction between the Eremobrya and the Desmobrya rests in the fronds of the former being articulated with the axis or rhizome, while those of the latter are adherent and continuous with the axis or rhizome.” In the Desmobrya the spores are always medial on the veins, while in the Eremobrya, which POLYPODIUM NIGRESCENS POLYPODIUM. 85 are by far the more numerous, they are generally, though not always, terminal on the veins. Eaton further states (vol. i, p. 119): “The genus Polypodium—even when limited, as by Mettenius, to the Ferns having round or roundish, naked sori, composed of sporangia with an incomplete vertical ring, the stalks of the fronds articulated to the rhizome—contains several hundred species. Mettenius gives 260, and in the Second Edition of ‘Synopsis Filicum’ Baker brings up the number to 340.* The great difference in the size and outlines of the frond, in the venation, in the texture, and in the surface—whether smooth, hairy, tomentose, or scaly—and in the presence or absence of peltate scales among the sporangia, have induced writers on the subject, especially Link, J. Smith, Presl, Fée, and Moore, to propose dividing the genus into many genera, founded on the characters just referred to. But Mettenius has satisfactorily shown that the intermediate forms are so many and so perplexing that the whole is best regarded as forming but one natural genus ; and in this view he has been followed by Sir W. J. Hooker and Mr. Baker, who, however, retain in Polypodium those Ferns which differ from Nephrodium only in the absence of an indusium—a character which is often the result of accident or of arrested development. These species, nearly a hundred in number, constitute the genus Phegopteris, and are technically distinguished from the true Polypodia by having the stalks continuous with the rhizome or caudex.” As previously stated, the genus Polypodium was formerly divided by various authors into an almost unlimited number of sub-genera ; the following list of the best-known of these, with the names of their authors, will show at a glance the importance of the genus : Abacopteris, Fée. lrthropteris, J. Smith. Adenophorus, Hooker and Greville. Calymmodon, Pres). Aglaomorpha, Schott. Campyloneuron, Presl. Amblia, Presl. Chrysopteris, Link. Ampelopteris, Kunze. Celopteris, A. Brongniart. Anapeltis, J. Smith. Colysis, Presl. Anazxetum, Link. Craspedaria, Fée. Apalophlebia, Presl. Crypsinus, Presl. * Nicholson, in the “Dictionary of Gardening” (vol. iii, p. 186), states that this genus comprises upwards of 450 species. THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. Cryptosorus, Fée. Cyrtomiphlebium, Hooker. Cyrtophlebtum, J. Smith. Diblemma, J. Smith. Dictymia, J. Smith. Dictyopteris, Presl. Dipteris, Reinwardt. Drynaria, Bory. Dryostachyum, J. Smith. EHupolypodium, Linneus. Galeoglossa, Presl. Glaphyropteris, Presl. Glyphotenium, J. Smith. Gontophlebium, Blume. Goniopteris, Presl. Grammitis, Hooker and Baker. Gymnocarpium, Newman. Gynosorium, Presl. Holcosorus, Moore. Lecanopteris, Blume. Lepicystis, J. Smith. Lopholepis, J. Smith. Marginaria, Presl. Microgramme, Presl. Microsorium, Link. Monachosorum, Kunze. Niphobolus, Hooker and Baker. Niphopsis, J. Smith. Paragramma, Moore. Phegopteris, Mettenius. Phiebodium, R. Brown, Phymatodes, Presl. Pleopeltis, Hooker and Baker. Pleuridium, J. Smith. Polycampium, Presl. Pseudathyrium, Newman. Stegnogramma, Brackenridge. Xiphopteris, Kaulfuss. The greater part of the above-named sub-genera, however, have now been abandoned, and the comprehensive classification of this extensive genus is limited to the following distinct groups, which are the only divisions retained by Hooker and Baker in the “Synopsis Filicum” as sub-genera, although many of the foregoing names are still referred to by a few writers of the present day: CAMPYLONEURON (Camp-yl-on-eur’-on), Presi. In this sub-genus (belonging to the Eremobryoid series, in which the fronds are articulated with the rhizome), the primary veins are distinct from the midrib to the edge, and are connected by parallel, straight or curved, transverse veinlets ; the areole (cells) contain two or more spore masses, and the free veinlets are all directed towards the edge. P. angustifolium is one of the best representatives of this sub-genus. Most of the known species have simple or undivided fronds, a few only being pinnate. Niphobolus forms an important section of this sub-genus. CyrromipuLesium (Cyr-tom-iph-leb/-i-um), Hooker. A small sub-genus in which the venation is similar to that of Cyrtomium (Aspidium), i.e., with the contiguous groups uniting irregularly. POLYPODIUM. 87 Dictyoprrris (Dic-t¥-op’-ter-is), Presl. This small sub-genus belongs, like the last, to the Desmobryoid series, in which the fronds are adherent and continuous with the rhizome. The venation is similar to that of Sagenia (Nephrodium), i.e., anastomosing (intermixing copiously). In some species, the spore masses are biserial (disposed in two rows), eg., in P. Barberi; while in others they are scattered irregularly, a character which is shown best in P. sparsiflorum. Dipreris (Dip’-ter-is), Reinwardt. A small yet very interesting section of the extensive sub-genus Phymatodes. It is of thoroughly distinct aspect through the flabellate (fan-like) form of the fronds: these are divided into two distinct halves, which are deeply lobed from the circumference in the direction of the base. P. Dipteris is the typical representative of this section. Drynaria (Dryn-a/-ri-a), Bory. In this small yet very distinct section of the sub-genus Phymatodes, the barren and fertile fronds are sometimes distinct, a character well illustrated by P. quercifolium; when they are not distinct, the base of the ordinary one is pinnatifid (divided half-way to the midrib) like a stalkless Oak-leaf, brownish in colour, and rigid in texture, as in P. Heracleum. _ Evporypoprum (Hu-pol-yp-od’ -i-um), Linneus. This is the most extensive sub-genus belonging to the Eremobryoid series (composed of plants with fronds articulated at the point of junction with the rhizome, and spore masses generally, but not always, terminal on the veins). The veins are free and the spore masses are round, except in a few species in which they are oblong, and which form the section Grammitis. The outlines of the fronds and their divisions are numerous, some having entire (undivided) fronds, as P. zeylanicum, while others have them pinnatifid (the lobes reaching half- way or more down to the main stalk), such as those of P. khasyanum. The majority of the species, however, have fronds distinctly pinnate (divided to the midrib), with leaflets closely set, enlarged, and casually confluent at the base, as is frequently seen in the typical P. vulgare ; some have their fronds bipinnatifid or even bipinnate (twice divided nearly or quite to the midrib), e.g., P. hymenophylloides, and a few are tri- or quadripinnatifid (three or four times divided nearly to the midrib), a character shown to perfection in P. millefolium. 88 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. GoNIOPHLEBIUM (Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um), Blume. In this important and thoroughly distinct sub-genus the veins form ample, regular areole (cavities), each with a single, distinct, free, included veinlet, the sori (spore masses) being terminal on the latter, often in the costal cavity only, but sometimes also in the second or even third row. A few of the species included here have simple (undivided) fronds, e¢g., P. glaucophyllum; others have their fronds pinnatifid (divided half-way to the midrib), as exemplified in P. Matthewsii; but in the majority of the species the fronds are distinctly pinnate (once divided to the midrib), a character which is well shown in P, subauriculatum. GoNIOPTERIS (Go-ni-op’-ter-is), Presl. This small sub-genus, belonging to the Desmobryoid series (in which the fronds are adherent and continuous with the rhizome), is composed of plants having the venation of Hunephrodium, i.e, veins pinnate, with the lower veinlets of contiguous groups joining. Some species, such as P. meniscioides, have their leaflets entire or slightly notched ; but most of them have their leaflets distinctly notched or even cleft nearly to the midrib, as in P. Ghiesbreghtii. A few species are proliferous (rooting at the extremity of their fronds). GraMMITIs (Gram-mi’-tis), Hooker and Baker. A small section of the sub-genus Eupolypodium, being distinguished specially by the oblong shape of the spore masses, a character which is best illustrated in P. Deplanchet. NirHosotus (Niph-ob’-ol-us), Hooker and Baker. This is a small but very interesting and distinct section of the sub-genus Campyloneuron. It is composed of plants with entire fronds, the under-surface of which is clothed with a substance of a woolly or cottony nature, in some cases, such as P. Lingua, thin and adpressed, but in other instances much thicker, more woolly, and looser, a character well shown in P. nummularicfolium. Purcorreris (Phe-gop’-ter-is), Mettenius. This is by far the most important sub-genus contained in the Desmobryoid series (in which the fronds are adherent and continuous with the axis or rhizome). The venation in Phegopteris is the same as in Lastrea (Nephrodium), all the veins being free. The outline and the divided character of the fronds vary very much: in some instances the leaflets are entire or lobed less than half-way to the midrib, as in P. Carri; in other cases they are either cut more than half-way to the midrib into close, regular, nearly entire lobes, as in P. obtusilobum, or, as in POLYPODIUM. 89 P. distans, they are cut nearly or quite down to the midrib into toothed or deeply-cleft lobes. In another section of Phegopteris the fronds are small or medium-sized, tri- or quadripinnatifid (three or four times divided nearly to the midrib), a character which is well illustrated in our “Oak Fern,” P. Dryopteris; or the fronds are ample and many times divided, like those of P. punctatum. Puiesopium (Phleb-o’-di-um), R. Brown. This very distinct sub-genus comprises but few species. The veins form ample, regular cells, each with two or more distinct free veinlets, which bear the spore masses on _ their united points, the costal series of cells being always destitute of spore masses. The best-known of the species included in this sub-genus is undoubtedly P. aureum. Puymatopes (Phy-mat-o’-dés), Presl. This extensive sub-genus, which includes the sections Dipteris and Drynaria, is distinguished by the copious, irregular, fine cells of its fronds, the free veinlets spreading in various directions, as also by the disposition of the spore masses, which vary as to position, but are generally found on the back of the united veinlets. The majority of the species have undivided fronds, such as those of P. longifolium, mostly of a thick texture, with the under-surface of a matted or scurfy nature, as in P. angustatum. Some species, such as P. Billardieri, have their fronds deeply pinnatifid, while in a few of them the fronds are distinctly pinnate (divided to the midrib), a character which is best illustrated in P. juglandifolium. The geographical distribution of the genus is very wide, Polypodiums of one section or another being found in nearly every part of the world. It is, however, in Central and in South America that they are most abundant ; a certain number of very distinct species are found throughout India, and a few others are native of Australia and Japan. Eaton, referring to the distribution of the genus, states (“Ferns of North America,” vol. i., p. 120) that “the true Polypodia of the United States and Canada are but eight in number. Three of these have veins free: P. plumula [elasticwm], falcatum [a form of P. vulgare], and vulgare; two, P. californicum and incanum, have their veins sometimes free, sometimes sparingly reticulated ; and three, aureum, Phyllitidis, and Scouleri, have their veins regularly reticulated, but in three different methods, representing respectively the sections Phlebodium, Campyloneuron, 90 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. and Goniophlebium.” This does not include the four distinct species of Phegopteris also found in North America. The British Polypodies are few in number, five species only being recorded as indigenous, and even these are of a very cosmopolitan character, their range of habitat extending to North America, Japan, &c. If British species are but few, some of the numerous varieties of P. vulgare (which, unlike the other native species, is of a thoroughly evergreen nature) are not found in any other country, either growing spontaneously or produced by cultivation. Culture. The Polypodiums, both British and exotic, are of two different structures and of various habits. A small proportion of them, such as our common “Oak” and “Beech” Ferns (P. Dryopteris and P. Phegopteris), are deciduous, and provided with slender rhizomes which delight in running underground, especially in partly-decayed vegetable matter; the foliage of these species, as a rule, is of a soft, papery texture. The majority of them, however, are of an evergreen nature, having fronds of a somewhat leathery texture, produced from rhizomes which prefer being kept above or close to the surface of the ground. In this case we may give as the typical species P. vulgare, of which C. T. Druery, in his excellent book, “Choice British Ferns,” says (pp. 119, 120): “It is a thorough evergreen, retaining its verdure quite fresh right through the winter. The creeping rootstock is fleshy and as thick as the little finger, while the fronds are comparatively leathery and of a dark green colour, bearing on their backs the large, golden-yellow heaps of spores, which form most conspicuous and_ beautiful examples of the fructification peculiar to the Polypodium family. This Fern, by its tough nature, is enabled to stand plenty of air, and even of sunshine, and we consequently find it at home on the tops and in the crevices of old walls, on the roofs of old buildings, and cosily nestling amongst moss-grown rocks and similar places where its roots can creep freely about in accumu- lations of leaf mould. We also find it clothing the ‘sloping sides of hedge- banks, and forming a dense undergrowth among the roots of the hedges themselves ; and lastly, but by no means least, it makes itself a congenial POLYPODIUM. 91 home in the mossy bark of old trees, and among the débris which collects in their forks and other hollows.” Those species which are provided with underground rhizomes may be either grown in pots or planted in any part of the stove, the cool Fernery, or the outdoor rockery, according to their native habitats; and for these, a mixture composed of two parts fibrous loam, one part leaf mould, and one part sharp silver sand, answers all requirements. This treatment also applies to the species in which the fronds are produced from a single crown. The epiphytal species (those provided with rhizomes of a thickness varying from that of a quill pen to that of a man’s thumb), which do not burrow, but keep near, or even on, the surface of the soil, require a different material to grow luxuriantly. In their case, good fibrous peat, or, better still, half-decayed leaf mould, should form the best part of their compost, in which silver sand is not needed, but to which a fourth part of fibrous loam may be added to give it cohesion. Whether grown in pots or planted in the rockery, these species should have good drainage and comparatively shallow pots or pockets. The epiphytal species are particularly adapted for covering Tree-Fern stems and for growing in hanging baskets, in which positions their rambling habit is shown to great advantage. The majority of Polypodiums are propagated by division of their rhizomes, which operation may be carried out at almost any time of the year; but a few species grown extensively for decorative purposes are more rapidly propa- gated by means of their spores, which are abundantly produced, germinate freely, and produce better-shaped plants than those obtained from division of the rhizomes. Principal Species and Varieties. P. (Phymatodes) accedens—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; ac-ce’-dens (approaching), Blume. This pretty and singular, stove species, which Beddome gives as a Pleopeltis, is a native of Malaysia and the Philippines. It is readily distinguished by the thread-like nature of its very wide-creeping rhizome, which is scarcely scaly. Its fronds, which are of two distinct forms, are borne upon very short stalks ; the barren ones are oblong and blunt, while 92 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. the fertile ones, longer and narrower (2in. to 4in. long and }in. to in. broad), have their fructification confined to the upper part, which is narrowed or conspicuously contracted. The fronds are of a leathery texture and smooth on both sides, and the sori (spore masses) are disposed in single rows close to the midrib. Fig. 31 is re- duced from Col. Beddome’s “Ferns of British India,” by the kind permission of the author.—Hooker, Species Fili- cum, v., p. 66. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 215. P. achillezefolium — ach- ill-e’-ae-fol’-i-um (Achillea- leaved), Kaulfuss. A small-growing, stove spe- cies, native of Ecuador and Fig. 31. Polypodium accedens ( nat. size). Brazil, with oblong-spear-shaped fronds 3in. to 5in. long, lin. to 14in. broad, produced from a single crown, and borne on tufted stalks barely lin. long, of a wiry nature, but clothed with short, soft, spreading hairs. The leaflets, of a leathery texture, closely set, and spreading, are deeply cleft into narrow lobes, each of which bears a spore mass.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 225. P. (Niphobolus) acrostichoides — Niph-ob’-ol-us ; ac-ros’-tich-3-i/-des (Acrostichum-like), Forster. This stove species, native of Ceylon, Malaysia, the Philippines, the New Hebrides, Queensland, &c., and rare in cultivation, possesses a very peculiar appearance on account of its singularly long and comparatively narrow, leathery, drooping fronds being produced at long intervals apart on a wide-creeping, woody rhizome, clothed with roundish scales black in the centre. The fertile and the barren fronds are similar in shape and size, and are also produced in about equal proportions ; they are borne on firm, upright stalks lin. to 3in. long, and they sometimes measure as much as 2ft. in length by only lin. in POLYPODIUM. 98 breadth, although they are oftener of the same breadth and only 14ft. to 13ft. in length, and narrowed very gradually below. These fronds are of a very leathery texture, naked on their upper surface, but densely clothed on their under-side with a dirty white, woolly substance of a persistent nature. The small, bright-coloured, closely-set sori (spore masses) are not immersed ; they cover the under-side of the upper part of the frond (Fig. 32). —Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 44. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii, p. 186. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 81. P. adenophorus — ad-e-noph’- or-us (gland - bearing), Hooker and Arnott. A stove species, native of the Sandwich Islands and Peru, with sub-sessile (almost stalkless), flaccid, pendulous fronds, 6in. to 12in. long, Fig. 82. Polypodium acrostichoides (much reduced). in. to lin. broad, cut down nearly or quite to the midrib into sharp- pointed, slightly undulated, horizontal or even rather decurved leaflets $in. broad and enlarged at the base. They are of a somewhat leathery texture and nearly naked on both sides, and the sori (spore masses) are disposed in rows, close to the midrib.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 195. P. (Niphobolus) adnascens—Niph-ob’-ol-us ; ad-nase’-ens (adnascent), Swartz. Contrary to the majority of the plants comprised in the genus, this stove species, native of Ceylon, Fiji, the Mascarene Islands, and Southern India ‘(where, according to Beddome, it grows in forests from the plains to 5000ft. elevation), is provided with two kinds of totally different fronds, the barren ones being scarcely half the size of the fertile ones. The difference, however, is not limited to size only, for it is further shown in the shape, which in the 94 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. barren ones is spathulate (spoon-shaped) and blunt, while the fertile ones are longer and narrower (6in. to 12in. long and 4in. to din. broad). Both kinds of fronds are produced from a firm but slender rhizome clothed with narrow, deciduous scales, and borne on firm, erect stalks seldom more than lin. long ; they are smooth and of a dark green colour above, while their under-side is thinly coated with a whitish, woolly substance. The small, bright-coloured sori (spore masses) are immersed, and occupy the whole of the contracted upper part of the frond.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 47; Garden Ferns, t. 19. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 186. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 184. P. (Goniophlebium) adnatum — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; ad-na’-tum (adnate), Kunze. A strong-growing, stove species, native of Guatemala, with fronds 14ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. broad, and borne on naked, glossy stalks 6in. to 12in. long. They are composed of several pairs of oblong-spear-shaped leaflets, the upper ones broadly attached to the midrib at their base, and of a terminal one of similar shape, 6in. to 9in. long, and 1din. to 2in. broad, All the leaflets are of a somewhat leathery texture, with sori (spore masses) disposed in rows of four to six between the midrib and the edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 27. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 186. P. (Phymatodes) affine—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; af-fi’-né (related), Blume. This strong-growing, stove species, native of the Moluccas and Philippine Islands, somewhat resembles the better-known P. nigrescens ; but it is easily distinguished from that plant through the disposition of its spore masses, which are not immersed and are placed in two or three irregular rows between the midrib and the edge. The fronds, 2ft. to 4ft. long and 1ft. or more broad, are produced from a scaleless rhizome of a woody nature, and borne on firm stalks 1ft. to 14ft. long and of a particularly glossy appearance.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 84. P. (Niphobolus) africanum—Niph-ob’-ol-us ; af-ric-a’-num (African), Mettenius. A greenhouse species, native of Kaffraria, Natal, Zambesi Land, Angola, and the Guinea Coast. From a stout rhizome densely clothed with large grey POLYPODIUM. 95 scales are produced its sub-sessile (almost stalkless) fronds 6in. to 12in. long, zin. to 1din. broad, gradually narrowed to both ends, and with smooth edges ; they are of a leathery texture, naked on the upper surface, but densely coated underneath with a close, nearly white substance of a woolly nature, into which the spore masses, of a particularly bright colour and spread over the whole upper portion of the frond, are sunk. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 45. P. (Phymatodes) alatum—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; al-a’-tum (winged), Hooker. This stove species, of medium dimensions, native of the Fiji Islands, produces from a scaleless rhizome of a woody nature fronds 13ft. to 2ft. long, 10in. to 12in. broad, which are borne on firm, upright stalks lft. to 1#ft. long ; they are cut down nearly to the midrib below, and within 4in. of it above, into numerous narrow-oblong, sharp-pointed lobes 6in. to 8in. long and lin. or more in breadth. The texture is soft and papery, and the fronds are naked on both sides. The rather small and abundant sori (spore masses) are disposed in rows of three or four near the main veins.— Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 85. P. (Niphobolus) albicans—Niph-ob’-ol-us ; al’-bic-ans (whitish), Mettenius. A stove species, native of Java, producing from a stout rhizome, clothed with somewhat large, spear-shaped, light-coloured scales, fronds lft. to 2ft. long, lin. to 2in. broad, and borne on firm, upright, naked stalks 2in. to 4in. long. They are gradually narrowed towards both ends, with smooth edges, and are of a very leathery texture; their upper surface is smooth, but their under-side is densely clothed with a woolly substance of a pale rusty-brown colour. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in close rows of three or four each between the veins.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p.-51. P. albidulum—al-bid’-ul-um (slightly whitish), Baker. This greenhouse species, native of Rio Janeiro, is of tufted, close habit, its pendulous, spear-shaped fronds, 4in. to 8in. long and #in. to fin. broad, being produced from a short, upright stem and borne on firm, slender, naked stalks 1in. to 2in. long and of a grey colour. The fronds are of a somewhat leathery texture, and are cut-down to the midrib into strap-shaped leaflets 96 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. densely covered with a whitish powder underneath. The round and superficial sori (spore masses) are disposed along the margins of the fertile leaflets — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 509. P. albo-punctatissimum—al’-bo—punc-ta-tis’-sim-um (much dotted with white). A variety of P. crassifolium. P. (Phymatodes) albo-squamatum—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; al’-bo—squa-ma/- tum (having white scales), Blume. This is a very distinct, stove species, of large dimensions, native of Malaysia and the Philippine Islands. Its singular-looking fronds, produced from a woody rhizome clothed with dense, dark brown scales sometimes Lin. long, are borne on firm, erect stalks 6in. to 12in. long and glossy; they are sometimes simple (undivided) but usually pinnate (once divided to the midrib), 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, with several distant, spreading leaflets 6in. to 10in. long, 4in. to fin. broad, very sharp-pointed at the extremity, but narrowed at the base, the lower ones being stalked. The fronds are of a somewhat leathery texture, and their upper surface is decorated with small, white, scale-like dots either at the edge or all over. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a single row midway between the midrib and the edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum,.v., p. 92; Garden Ferns, t. 47. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 186. P. (Phegopteris) alpestre—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; al-pest’-ré (alpine), Hoppe. This very elegant and perfectly hardy species, native of Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, the Pyrenees, &c., is most appro- priately named, as, whether in Europe or in North America, it is found only at high elevations. As a British plant it is the least known of the whole genus, probably on account of the restriction of its habitat, which appears limited to a few localities in Scotland, where, however, it usually grows in abundance, and generally in company with the “Lady Fern” (Asplenium Filiz-femina). It is probably also on account of possessing a general aspect similar to that of the “Lady Fern” that its existence as a British species has been ignored until a comparatively recent date, for its first discovery in the British Isles is attributed to Mr. H. C. Watson, who in 1841 gathered it on Ben Aulder, in Inverness-shire ; and in 1844 a frond POLYPODIUM. 97 was brought from Canlochen Glen, in Forfarshire. It has more recently been found in Perthshire, in Aberdeenshire, and in one or two other places in the Scottish Highlands, where it grows in quantity. Lowe, in his exhaustive work, “Our Native Ferns” (vol. i, p, 13), states: “In 1852 Mr. T. Westcombe and Mr. Backhouse, of York, procured it in great abundance in Canlochen, Glen Prosen, Glen Fiadh, and on all the Dee-side mountains. Mr. Backhouse remarks that at an elevation of from 2000ft. to 3000ft. this Fern was found mingled with the Lady Fern; above this height the Lady Fern ceased, and left the Alpine Polypody in sole possession, flourishing most in the more open situations.” Referring to the Alpine Polypody, Eaton, in his excellent work, “ Ferns of North America” (vol. i, p. 172), says: “It grows in a limited locality, so far as I know, near the summit of Mount Rose, near Webber Lake, and, say, at an elevation of 7000ft., latitude 393deg. N.” He also states that it is found growing amongst rocks at high elevations on Lessen’s Peak, Mount Shasta, Pyramid Peak, Mount Rose, and other points in the Sierra of California; and on the Cascade Mountains of British Columbia. It is therefore thoroughly hardy, and grows readily in a well- drained, loamy, porous compost. P. alpestre is a pretty, delicate-looking Fern. Its oblong-spear-shaped fronds, 2ft. or more in length, Gin. to Sin. broad, and borne on tufted stalks 4in. to 6in. long and scaly below, are disposed in circular tufts at the ends of the rootstocks on which they are produced, and which in a wild state are completely underground and much branched. The spear-shaped leaflets, of a soft, papery texture, 3in. to din. long, and lin. to l}in. broad, are again divided into spear-shaped leatfits, which are in their turn deeply cleft into toothed lobes, each bearing from one to four small spore masses.— Hooker, British Ferns, t. 6. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gurdening, Wi, p. 187. Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i, t. 2. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i, t. 23. This interesting species has produced, either spontaneously or through cultivation, several varieties, the most distinct of which are as follow : P. a. flexile—flex’-il-@ (pliable), Moore. We have in this variety, which is said to occur only on the Clova Mountains, where it was found in Glen Prosen by Mr. Backhouse, a very handsome and distinct form of the species, with fronds 8in. to 12in. long, VOL. Il. H 98 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. about 2in. broad, of a more slender habit, and with shorter leaflets and leafits much less in number. These fronds, of a very light green colour, are almost stalkless, the midrib extending nearly to the base of the frond. This variety is further distinguished by the peculiarity of its fructification, the sori (spore masses) being situated chiefly at the base of the frond, the extremity of which is invariably barren.—Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., t. 3. P. a. interruptum—in-ter-rup’-tum (interrupted), Ioore. A very curious form, raised from spores in Sim’s late establishment at Foot’s Cray, Kent. It has the habit and general appearance of P. a. flexile, from which it is issue, but has many of its primary divisions (leaflets) much and in various ways shortened, their divisions (leafits) appearing much toothed or torn. P. a. laciniatum—lac-in-i-a’-tum (fringed), Stansfield. This very pretty and distinct variety, raised from spores in the Fernery of Messrs. Stansfield, of Todmorden, is distinguished from the variety flezile by its densely-set leaflets, which are fringed and recurved towards the base of the stalk, short, and rounded at the end. The sori (spore masses) are disposed along the midvein.—Lowe, Our Native Ferns, 1., t. 3. P. a. lanceum—lan’-cé-um (spear-shaped), Moore. A variety having large fronds three times divided to the midrib, with leafits lengthened out and deeply cleft; their segments being bluntly notched. It was found on the Clova Mountains, and also at Lochnagar, Aberdeenshire. —Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., p. 13. P. alternifolium—al-tern-if-ol’-i-um (alternate-leaved), Hooker. This very distinct, stove species, native of the Andes of Icuador, possesses a very pleasing appearance through its flaccid, pendent fronds, 2ft. to 10ft. long and 2in. broad, being borne on very short, tufted, slender stalks clothed with soft, spreading hairs. The leaflets, distinct and alternate (not opposite), are spear-shaped, entire, and about }in. long at the base; they are of a very soft, papery texture, with a blackish midrib, close to which the spore masses are disposed in two long rows.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 222, t. 277a. POLYPODIUM. 99 P. ambiguum—am-big’-ti-um (ambiguous), MJettenius. A stove species, of medium dimensions, native of Venezuela, and somewhat resembling the better-known P. subpetiolatum. It produces from a densely- scaly, wide-creeping rhizome, }in. thick, its spear-shaped fronds 1ft. to 14ft. long, 4in. to 5in. broad, furnished with numerous leaflets of a parchment-like texture, narrowed to a point, equal at the base, and entire; they are of a bright green colour and finely downy. The copious and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are closely set near to the midrib.—//ooker, Synopsis Filicum, p- 510. P. (Niphobolus) americanum — Niph-ob’-ol-us ; am-er-ic-a’-num (American), Hooker. According to Hooker and Baker, this is the only American species of Niphobolus. It is a robust-growing, stove species, of large dimensions, native of the Andes of Ecuador. The very thick rhizome, clothed with large, grey scales, bears, on strong, erect stalks lin. to 4in. long, fronds 13ft. to 2ft. long, Zin. to fin. broad, very gradually narrowed downwards, and with reflexed edges; they are of a very leathery texture, and their upper surface, woolly when young, is naked, bright green, and pitted when mature, while their under-surface is densely coated with a loose, woolly substance of a dirty-white colour. The large and immersed sori (spore masses) are disposed in single, oblique rows of four between the midrib and the edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 54. P. (Goniophlebium) amcenum — Go-ni-oph-leb’i-um ; am-c’-num (pleasing), Wadlich. A greenhouse species, of medium size, native of Nepaul, Khasya, Bhotan, and Kumaon, where, according to Beddome, it is found growing at elevations varying between 6000ft. and 10,000ft. Its fronds, 1ft. to 2ft. long and Gin. to 12in. broad, are produced from a stout rhizome densely clothed with scales of a dull brown colour, and borne on firm, erect, naked stalks Gin. to 12in. long; they are cut down nearly to the rachis into numerous entire or slightly-toothed leaflets 3in. to 6in. long, of a papery yet firm texture, and the spore masses are disposed in a single series.—HHooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 24. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 5. H 2 100 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Phegopteris) amplum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; am’-plum (large), Humboldt. This stove species, native of Martinique, is a plant of very large dimensions, with fronds tripinnatifid (three times divided nearly to the midrib), and furnished with oblong, blunt segments of smooth texture and slightly dented at the edge (Fig. 33). The large and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are disposed in one row on each side of the midvein, and eventually cover the whole under-side of the frond.—Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 52. Fig. 83. Segment of Mature Frond of Polypodium amplum (much reduced). P. andinum—and’-in-um (native of the Andes), Hooker. This stove species, of small dimensions, native of the Andes of Ecuador and Peru, has fronds nearly stalkless, 4in. to 6in. long, din. to din. broad, and cut about a third of the way down to the midrib into regular, blunt lobes, the lower part of which is very gradually narrowed. These fronds are of a somewhat leathery texture, and are thinly coated on both sides with soft, spreading hairs. The large, round sori (spore masses) are disposed one to each lobe—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 178; Second Century of Ferns, t. 6. P. (Goniopteris) androgynum — Go-ni-op’-ter-is (hermaphrodite), Poiret. r f ; an-drog’-yn-um This strong-growing, stove species, also known in gardens under the name of P. fefragonum, is a native of Cuba, Panama, Brazil, and Peru. Its fronds, which are lft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, and borne on erect stalks 1ft. to 2ft. long, naked or slightly hairy, are furnished with numerous leaflets which vary greatly in their breadth and in the depth of their lobes. These leaflets are usually Gin. to 8in. long and }in. to lin. broad; the lowest, narrowed at the base and sometimes stalked, are cut from a quarter to half- POLYPODIUM. 101 way down into blunt lobes. They are of a thin, papery texture, slightly hairy on their under-side, and the spore masses are disposed in rows near the midrib. —Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 3. P. (Phymatodes) angustatum—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; an-gus-ta/-tum (narrow), Swarte. This stove species, native of North and Southern India and of New South Wales, is seldom met with in cultivation. Yet it is so distinct and so striking as to be easily remembered when once seen (Fig. 34). Its strap-shaped, entire fronds, 6in. to 12in. long, }in. to 14in. broad, and of a very leathery texture, borne on strong, upright stalks 2in. to 4in. long, are produced from a stout, wide-creeping rhizome clothed with whitish and very narrow scales. The upper surface is naked and of a dark green colour, while the under-side is clothed with a cottony substance of a rusty-brown colour. The fertile fronds are set off to advantage by the sori (spore masses), which are large and conspicuous, generally disposed in rows near the edge of the contracted upper part of the frond. P. angustatum of Blume is synonymous with P. palmatum.—Hovker, Species Filicum, v., p. 44; Garden Ferns, t. 20. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 187. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 185. Fig. 84. Polypodium angustatum G nat. size). P. (Campyloneuron) angustifolium—Camp-yl-on-eur’-on ; an-gus-tif- ol/-i-um (narrow-fronded), Swartz. This evergreen, stove species, of singular and distinct appearance, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1841, is a native of the West Indies and America, being found in Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. It is a very variable plant as regards the breadth of its fronds, which are produced from a stout rhizome creeping on 102 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. the surface of the ground and clothed with spear-shaped scales of a brown colour and of a deciduous nature. These fronds are Ift. to 14ft. long and usually 4in. broad (though narrower in the variety ensifolium of Willdenow), quite entire, pointed at their extremity, but with the lower part very gradually narrowed into a short stalk; their texture is leathery and they are naked on both sides, with their edges often rolled under. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in from one to four rows between the midrib and the edge.—Hooker, Species Lilicum, v., p. 40. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 48. P. apiculatum—ap-ic-ul-a’-tum (sharp-pointed), Kunze. A stove species, of medium dimensions, native of Columbia, Guiana, and Brazil, with spear-shaped fronds terminating in a sharp, tail-like point. The fronds are produced from a stout, short-creeping rhizome of a woody nature, and borne on rigid, upright stalks lin. to 2in. long and of a grey colour ; they are seldom more than 8in. long and 1din. broad, and are cut down to the midrib into narrow, sharp-pointed leaflets of moderately firm texture, dull green and naked on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses) fill up the space between the midrib and the edge-——Hvoker, Species Filicwm, iv., p. 185. P. (Phegopteris) appendiculatum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; ap-pen-dic-ul-a’- tum (having appendages ?), Wallich. This stove species, native of East Himalayas and Penang, is not the P. appendiculatum usually met with in gardens, and which is merely a form of P. plesiosorum. Its broadly-spear-shaped fronds, 14ft. to 2ft. long and 8in. to 10in. broad, are borne on tufted stalks about lft. long; they are furnished with leaflets 3in. to 5in. long, jin. to lin. broad, and cut down nearly to the midrib into narrow-oblong, sickle-shaped lobes of a soft, papery texture. The lower leaflets have a small gland at the base. The spore masses are disposed close to the midrib.—/ooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 306. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 256. P. (Phegopteris) aquilinum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; aq-uil-i’-num (eagle-like), Thouars. This strong-growing, stove species, native of Tristan d’Acunha, has the general habit of the common Bracken (Pteris aquilina). Its ample and much- POLYPODIUM. 103 divided fronds, 2ft. to 4ft. long, 1ft. to 14ft. broad, and produced from a stout, creeping rhizome, are borne on stout, upright stalks Ift. to 2ft. long, of a brown colour, hairy on their whole length except at the base, where they are densely scaly. The leaflets, 6in. to Yin. long and din. to din, broad, are much overlapping, and their spear-shaped leafits are again divided into narrow- oblong, entire segments, the whole being of a leathery texture. The minute and copious sori (spore masses) are partly covered by the recurved margins of the fertile segments.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 270. P. (Phlebodium) areolatum — Phleb-o’-di-um ; ar-é-ol-a’-tum (having areole). A variety of P. aureum. P. (Goniophlebium) argutum — Go-ni-oph-leb/-i-um ; ar-gu’-tum (pungent ?), Wallach. A greenhouse species, which, according to Beddome, occurs in Nepaul, Kumaon, Sikkim, Khasya, &c. Its somewhat upright, oblong-spear-shaped fronds, 1ft. to 2ft. long, 8in. to 12in, broad, and simply pinnate, are produced from a slender, firm, wide-creeping rhizome, covered with narrow, dark brown scales, and borne on naked stalks 3in. to Gin. long. The narrow-strap-shaped leaflets, of a soft, papery texture, are bright green and naked on both surfaces, and the spore masses are disposed in a single row nearer the midrib than the edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 32. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 6. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 187. P. (Phegopteris) asperulum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; as-per’-ul-um (somewhat rough), J. Smith. This stove species, of medium dimensions, native of the Philippines, has a peculiar appearance produced by the unequal-sided character of its leafits and of their segments. Its much-divided fronds, 14ft. to 2ft. long and Itt. or more in breadth, are of a somewhat leathery texture. The spore masses are disposed one to each ultimate lobe.-—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 257. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. P. (Goniopteris) asplenioides — Go-ni-op’-ter-is ; as-ple-ni-6-i’-des (Asplenium-like). A variety of P. reptans. 104 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. athyrioides—ath-yr-i-3-i/-des (Athyrium-like), Hooker. A greenhouse species, of small dimensions, native of Peru, with fronds Sin. to 12in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, borne on firm, wiry stalks 2in. to 3in. long and slightly hairy. The narrow-spear-shaped leaflets, about jin. broad, are cut half-way down to the midrib into close, oblong lobes; the lower leaflets are very gradually reduced. All are of a somewhat leathery texture, and the copious sori (spore masses) are oblong.—/Tooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 224, t. 277. P. attenuatum at-ten-ti-a’-tum (attenuated). A synonym of P. Brownit. P. (Phlebodium) aureum—Phleb-o’-di-um ; au’-ré-um (golden), Linnaeus. This deservedly popular species, which thrives equally well under either greenhouse or stove treatment, possesses a very wide range of habitat, being common in the West Indies, in South America as far as Brazil, and even being reported by Dr. Mueller from Australia. According to Lowe, it was introduced into England in the year 1742, and received at the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1809. Eaton, in his exhaustive work on ‘‘ Ferns of North America,” says that P. aureum is epiphytic on trees, especially on the Palmetto in the Peninsula of Florida. Referring to its discovery, that writer states (vol. i., p. 119): “It was discovered long ago in the West Indies, and received from the ante-Linnwan botanists a variety of names. Plumier figured it at Plate 76 of his magnificent folio ‘Traité des Fougeres de l’Amérique’ (published in 1705), and named it Polypodium majus aureum. He says: ‘Ce Polypode a la racine grosse environ d’un pouce, et longue bien souvent d@un pied, ronde, noiieuse, rameuse, charnué, verdastre en dedans, d’un gout astringent, et toule couverte de petites écailles dordées.’ (The root of this Polypody is about lin. thick and very often ft. long, round, knotty, branching, fleshy, greenish inside, of an astringent taste, and completely covered with small, golden scales.)” P. aureum is a strong-growing Fern, strikingly bold in habit (Fig. 35), and, owing to the glaucous tint of its massive foliage, conspicuous. In very young plants the fronds are simple or three-lobed, but in fully-developed specimens they are 38ft. to dft. long and Yin. to 18in. broad, and are composed of a long, narrow-spear-shaped terminal leaflet, and of a variable number— POLYPODIUM. 105 from five to fifteen—of horizontal, entire, but undulated leaflets, 4in. to 9in. long, about lin. broad, and separated from each other by more or less rounded and open sinuses, leaving a wing or border of about 3in. along each side of the rachis (midrib of the leafy portion), The two lowest leaflets are sometimes distinctly separated from the rest and are usually slightly decurved. Taton, referring to the rhizome from which these fronds Fig, 35. Polypodium aureum (much reduced). are produced, says (vol. i, p. 166): “As in all true Polypodia, the rootstock bears scattered prominences, or knobs, to which the separate stalks of the fronds are articulated, and from which they fall away when finally withered.” The popular appellation of ‘Golden Polypody,” under which this handsome Fern is commonly known, may be derived from the shining nature and bright brown colour of the scales with which the older portions of its rhizomes are 106 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. covered, but it may also be due to the intense golden colour of the under-side of its fertile fronds, which is produced by the presence of the enormous quantity of spore masses, disposed irregularly in one, two, or three series, and from which, when ripe, a most profuse, fine, bright yellow powder escapes and covers the upper surface of the fronds that are beneath them.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 16. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii, p. 187. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii, t. 5. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ing ty 16. There are in commerce and extensively grown three plants so closely related to P. aureum that, although usually considered in gardens as distinct species, the authors of “Synopsis Filicum” acknowledge them only as varieties. These are: P. a. areolatum — ar-é-ol-a’-tum (areolate), Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kunth. A very interesting plant, native of South America and Mexico, with fronds smaller and of a more leathery texture than those of the species, and deeply pinnatifid; their leaflets, narrowly spear-shaped, somewhat sharp- pointed, and with moderately reflexed edges, being cut nearly to the midrib. The fronds, lft. to 2ft. long, are glaucous underneath, and the sori (spore masses) are disposed in a single row.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 347. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ti, t. 12. P. a. pulvinatum—pul-vi-na/-tum (cushion-like), Link. This variety, native of Brazil, was, according to Lowe, introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in the year 1841. Its fronds, which are of about the same dimensions as those of the species, are deeply pinnatifid, their leaflets being less wavy but more deeply cut towards the midrib; they, however, lack the beautiful colour of those of the species, being pale green and hardly at all glaucous. P. a. pulvinatum is nevertheless a distinct and pretty plant, the most attractive part of it being undoubtedly the under-surface of its fronds, which is copiously furnished with beautiful orange-yellow sori (spore masses). —FHooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 347. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iu., p. 187. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 56. POLYPODIUM. 107 P. a. sporadocarpum—spor-ad-oc-ar’-pum (spore-fruited), MWilldenow. This variety, commonly met with in gardens under the name of P. glaucum, is a native of South America, and is found most plentifully in Mexico, According to Lowe, it was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1843. If only the lovely colour of its foliage be taken into consideration, this variety, which is the Phlebodium sporadocurpum of J. Smith and also of Moore and Houlston, is certainly the handsomest of the group to which it belongs, being of a bluish tint not even approached by any of the others. Its habit is not, however, so elegant as that of the species, its fronds being borne on longer and slenderer stalks; the leaflets are also narrower and more distant from each other than those of P. aureum, but they are of a thicker texture and are bordered all round on their upper surface with small, white closely-set dots, and forming a singular and pleasing contrast with the bluish ground-colour. The fronds are also produced in greater abundance from a rhizome which branches more freely than that of either the species or its other varieties.— Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, u., t. 6. As purely decorative plants, . awrewm and its varieties are extremely useful and may be utilised in various ways, their massive fronds producing a striking contrast with those of other Ferns with which they are associated in the warm Fernery. When planted out, the rhizomes grow apace and produce fronds in abundance; though usually seen on the surface of the soil, they are also subterranean and have the property of extending underground to very long distances, with articulated fronds disposed upon them at short intervals. These plants may also be used with great advantage in hanging baskets of large dimensions, either by themselves or intermixed with other Ferns with finer foliage, or for covering Tree-Fern stems. Thus grown, their thick, chaffy rhizomes show to perfection, the whiteness of the scales with which their extremities are densely clothed being apparent, and contrasting pleasingly with the golden colour of the scales of their other portions. The value of these Ferns for decorative purposes is sufficiently attested by the fact that thousands of them annually find their way to Covent Garden Market; some growers, indeed, make quite a speciality of them, as much on account of their rapid growth as because of their distinct habit. Although the fronds have a natural tendency to be produced from a single rhizome, the 108 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. plants may, by judicious treatment, be rendered useful as pot subjects. To obviate this mode of growth, the extremity of the rhizome is entirely cut off when only about 2in. long, the result of that operation being the production of several lateral rhizomes growing out of the mutilated one in all directions, thus making bushy and compact plants. Being evergreen and strong growers, P. aureum and its varieties require substantial food ; a mixture consisting of about equal proportions of fibrous peat, loam, and silver sand suits them best. They must also receive a liberal supply of water at the roots while growing, as well as occasional waterings with weak liquid manure. P. (Phegopteris) auriculatum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; aur-ic-ul-a’-tum (eared), Wallich. A very robust-growing species, succeeding as well under greenhouse treatment as in the stove; is a native of the Himalayas, where, according to Beddome, it is found at 6000ft. elevation. The ample fronds, 3ft. to 4ft. long and Ift. or more in breadth, are borne on tufted stalks 14ft. to 2ft. long, hairy in their young stage, but becoming gradually smooth as the fronds attain maturity. The leaflets, 6in. to 8in. long, lin. broad, and of a soft, papery texture, are cut down nearly to the midrib into close, spreading, entire, blunt lobes ; the lower leaflets are frequently reduced to mere auricles and furnished with a prominent gland at the base beneath. The upper surface of the fronds is of a bright green colour, while they are slightly hairy on their under-side. The spore masses are disposed about half-way between the edge and the midrib.— Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 238. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 208. P. (Phegopteris) auritum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; au-ri/-tum (eared), J. Smith. A stove species, of medium dimensions, but of little decorative value, native of the East Indies, with pinnate fronds, about Ift. long, dark green above, and paler beneath. The very conspicuous veins are of a much darker colour than the fronds—Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 51. P. (Grammitis) australe—Gram-mi’-tis ; aus-tra’-lé (Southern), Mettenius. A greenhouse species, of small dimensions, producing from a creeping rhizome forming a dense mass its singular little fronds, seldom more than 6in. POLYPODIUM. 109 long, the small ones spathulate (spoon-shaped), the larger ones ligulate (strap- shaped), bluntish at the point, gradually tapering downwards into a short stalk ; they are of a leathery texture and with edges slightly hairy. The abundant and closely-set sori (spore masses) are oval or oblong, and disposed in rows nearer the midrib than the edge. The habitat of this singular species is very extensive, as it is found in the Southern extremity of America and adjacent islands, Tristan d’Acunha, New Zealand, and Australia, as far north as Queensland and New Caledonia. P. barbatulum—bar-ba’-tul-um (slightly bearded), Baker. A stove species, native of Bourbon; it is of no decorative value, seldom exceeding 2in. in height—Aooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 323. P. (Dictyopteris) Barberi — Dic-t¥-op’-ter-is; Bar’-ber-i (Barber's), Hooker. This very distinct, stove species, native of the Malayan Peninsula and Islands, is remarkable on account of its occasionally hand-shaped or palmately five-lobed, but more usually pinnate, fronds, borne on tufted stalks 6in. to 12in. long, slightly scaly at the base. They consist of a large terminal segment and iO) | . VA ae ~t f £45 . eee 4 ~K / Harari from one to fous pairs uA =<) San AAS ae JE leaflets fin. to Gin. long, lin. ee ae ae broad, and nearly entire, of ld Log k OZ Ze ah a somewhat leathery texture, and naked on both sides. The spore masses, produced in abundance, are disposed principally in two rows near Fig. 86. Frond of Polypodium Barberi ( nat. size). the main veins. Fig. 36 is reduced from Col. Beddome’s “Ferns of British India,” by the kind permission of the author.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 100. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 322. 110 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Goniophlebium) Beddomei — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; Bed-do’-mé-i (Beddome’s), Baker. This is the Gontophlebium molle of Beddome, a stove species, native of Burmah, where it was discovered by the Rev. C. 8. Parish. It is distinct through its wide-creeping rhizome, densely clothed with reddish-brown scales, from which the fronds, 14ft. long and 7in. to Sin. broad, are produced. The leaflets, 3in. to 4in. long and fin. broad, are deeply notched, sometimes eared at the base on the upper side, stalkless, of a soft, papery texture, and with spore masses disposed in a single row.—/looker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 344. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 206. P. Bernouillii—Ber-nouil’-li-i (Bernouilli’s), Baker. A stove species, of small dimensions and little decorative value, much resembling the better-known P. plebeium. It is a native of Guatemala.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 510. P. biauriculatum—tbi-aur-ic-ul-a’-tum (twice-eared), Hooker. A greenhouse species, native of Peru, with fronds lft. to 14ft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, and borne on stout, upright stalks 4in. to 6in. long and hairy upwards. The horizontal leaflets, 2in. long and Hin. broad, are entire, distinctly eared at the base on both sides, of a somewhat leathery texture, and densely hairy on both sides. The sori (spore masses) fill up nearly the whole space between the edge and the midrib.—Hooker, Icones Plantarum, t. 121. P. biforme—bif-or’-mé (of two forms), Baker. This stove species, native of Madagascar, Bourbon, and Mayotta, has oblong-spear-shaped fronds 2ft. long, borne on. stalks 1}ft. long. They are simply pinnate, being cut to the midrib into many strap-shaped, bluntly-lobed leaflets: the barren ones are 6in. to Zin. long and lin. broad, while the fertile ones are smaller, and the lowest are stalked ; all are light green on both surfaces, and have the spore masses disposed near the main veins.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 505. P. (Phymatodes) bifrons—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; bif’-rons (two-fronded), Hooker. In this stove species, native of Kcuador, the fronds, produced from a rather slender, branched, twisted rhizome of a woody nature, are of two quite POLYPODIUM. 111 distinct. characters. The barren ones, 3in. to 4in. long, lin. broad, and stalkless, are elliptical, being narrowed at both ends, with blunt lobes, which reach nearly half-way down. The fertile ones, din. to 6in. long, are short- stalked, entire, of a soft, papery texture, and naked on both sides. The large, oblong sori (spore masses) are placed end to end in a row on each side close to the midrib.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 78; Filices Exoticw, t. 52. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. P. bifurcatum—hif-ur-ca’-tum (twice-forked). A synonym of P. Lobbianum. P. (Phymatodes) Billardieri—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; Bil-lar-di-e’-ri (Labil- lardicre’s), R. Brown. This very useful and highly ornamental, greenhouse species, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1824, by Allan Cunningham, is a native of New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, and the neighbouring islands. It is a very handsome Fern, provided: with wide-creeping rhizomes of a woody nature, densely clothed with dark-coloured and glossy scales, from which the fronds are produced. These fronds usually stand upright and are borne on firm, erect, glossy stalks 4in. to Sin. long ; they vary in shape from oblong-spear-shaped and quite entire, to 13ft. long and half as broad and deeply pinnatifid (cut nearly down to the midrib). In young or freshly-divided plants the simple fronds predominate, whilst in old-established ones they are nearly all pinnatifid, being composed of narrow- spear-shaped leaflets of a leathery texture, deep green in colour, and naked on both sides. The large, round sori (spore masses) are disposed in single rows close to the midvein, and are so distinctly immersed in the frond as to form protuberances on the upper side.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 82. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iti., p. 187. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 47. This species is a particularly shallow-rooting plant ; it flourishes best in a flower-pan, in a mixture in which fibrous peat predominates. P. (Phegopteris) biseriale—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; bis-er-i-a’-lé (in two series), Baker. _ A strong-growing, stove species, native of the Andes of Peru and Ecuador, with much-divided fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, 112 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. borne on slightly-scaly stalks lft. to 2ft. long. The lowest leaflets, 6in. to 8in. long and 2in. to 3in. broad, are cut down to the rachis below into distinct, oblong-spear-shaped leafits, which are subdivided into lobes of a thin, papery texture. The spore masses are disposed in pairs on the lower lobes.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 309. P. biserratum—bis-er-ra/-tum (twice-serrated). A form of P. subpetiolatum. P. (Grammitis) bisulcatum — Gram-mi’-tis ; bis-ul-ca’-tum (twice- furrowed), Hooker. A very uncommon and singular, stove species, native of Borneo, and more interesting as a botanical curiosity than useful as a decorative plant. Its fronds, produced from a wide-creeping rhizome, are 6in. to Qin. long, resemble the stem of a rush, and show five furrows, of which the two deepest bear the closely-set, prominent oval spore masses. This plant is the Holcosorus pentagonus of Moore. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 164; Second Century of Ferns, t. 98. P. blechnoides—bléch-n5-i’-des (Blechnum-like), Hooker. This greenhouse species, native of Polynesia and Queensland, is distinct on account of the fertile leaflets being confined to the upper half of the fronds, which are produced from a stout rhizome clothed with dense, narrow scales, and borne on rigid, upright, naked stalks 2in. to 3in. long. The whole frond seldom measures more than Ift. long and 1in. broad ; it is cut down very nearly to the rachis throughout. The fertile leaflets are longer and narrower than the barren ones, which are bluntish, growing gradually shorter and broader downwards ; all are of a leathery texture. The oblong spore masses, deeply immersed in the fronds, are disposed in rows near the midrib.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 180. P. Boivini—Boi-vi’-ni (Boivin’s), dlettentus. A very small-growing, stove species, of botanical interest only, native of Madagascar.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 507. P. (Phegopteris) Bojeri—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; Bo’-jer-i (Bojer’s), Hooker. This stove species, of medium dimensions, is a native of Mauritius and Bourbon Islands. Its much-divided fronds, 2ft. or more in length and lft. POLYPODIUM. 118 to 14ft. broad, have their spear-shaped leaflets, 6in. to 10in. long and 2in. broad, again divided into spear-shaped leafits, which are cut down nearly to the rachis below into close, entire, blunt lobes, the whole being of a thin, papery texture. The sori (spore masses) are small, abundant, and disposed close to the midrib.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 251. P. (Niphobolus) Boothii—Niph-ob’-ol-us ; Boo’-thi-i (Booth’s), Hooker. A very robust, stove species, native of Bhotan, with fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 3in. to 4in. broad, borne on firm, upright stalks lft. or more in length and scaly at the base. These fronds are gradually narrowed towards both ends and have their edge entire ; they are smooth on the upper surface, whereas their under-side is thickly covered with a woolly substance of a rusty- brown colour. The spore masses are disposed in two irregular rows.— Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 53. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 258. P. (Goniopteris) borneense — Go-ni-op’-ter-is ; bor-ne-en’-sé (Bornean), Hooker. A small, stove species, of little decorative value, native of Borneo.—Hooker, Species Llicum, v., p. 11. P. (Goniophlebium) brasiliense — Go-ni-oph- leb’-i-um ; bras-il-i-en’-sé (Brazilian), Pozret. This stove species, also known under the name of P. neriifolium, is a native of the West Indies, Mexico, Brazil, and Peru. Its fronds, Ift. to 3ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, and borne on firm, glossy stalks 6in. to 12in. long, are produced from a stout rhizome densely clothed with spear-shaped scales of a peculiar grey colour. They consist of an entire or slightly sinuated terminal leaflet 4in. to 8in. long and }in. to /é 9 ee pure 1din. broad, and of numerous lateral ones of a similar niunetees nature, but slightly narrowed at the base, where they are attached to the midrib (Fig. 37), except the lowest, which are sometimes stalked. The texture is leathery, and the spore masses, disposed in one or two series between the midrib and the edge, are immersed in the frond.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 28. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. vow. IIl. i 114 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Dictyopteris) Brongniartii — Dic-t¥-op’-ter-is ; Brong-ni-ar’-ti-i (Brongniart’s), Bory. A strong-growing, stove species, native of Malaysia and the Philippine Islands. In habit it is similar to the better-known P. difforme; but it is distinguished by its small spore masses being confined to the margin of the lobes.— Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p 103. P. (Phymatodes) Brownii — Phy-mat-o’-dés ; Brown’-i-i (Brown’s), Sprengel. This evergreen, greenhouse species, of small dimensions, native of Australia, is said by Lowe, who describes it under the name of P. attenuatum, to have been introduced into England in 1823, and into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1828, by Allan Cunningham. It is a very interesting plant, with simple (undivided) fronds of a dark green colour and of a very leathery texture, produced from a wide-creeping rhizome of a woody nature, and clothed with spear-shaped scales of a dull brown colour. These fronds are 6in. to 18in. long, din. to gin. broad, strap-shaped, bluntish at their summit, the lower part being very gradually narrowed to a base or short stem. The large and prominent sori (spore masses) are oblong in shape, and disposed in a single row end to end a space from one another midway between the midrib and the edge, on the upper portion of the frond, in which they are immersed.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 58; Garden Ferns, t. 30. Micholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ili., p. 187. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 29a. P. (Phegopteris) czespitosum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; cas-pit-o’-sum (tufted), Baker. A greenhouse species, of small dimensions and of little decorative value. It is a native of Mexico.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 305. P. (Phegopteris) calcareum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; cal-ca’/-ré-um (Limestone Polypody). Synonymous with P. Robertianum. P. (Goniophlebium) californicum — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; cal-if-or’- nic-um (Californian), Kaulfuss. This greenhouse species has a somewhat limited habitat in North America, as Eaton states that “it is apparently confined to the region west of the coast POLYPODIUM. 115 range of mountains and to the islands lying off the shore.” In general habit it is very like the common Polypody (P. vulgare) ; its fronds, Gin. to 9in. long, 3in. to din. broad, and borne on firm, erect, naked stalks 3in. to 6in. long, are produced from a wide-creeping rhizome clothed with spear-shaped scales of a rusty-brown colour. They are cut down nearly or quite to the midrib into finely-toothed leaflets 1din. to 2}in. long, of a soft, papery texture. The large and prominent spore masses are disposed in single rows near the midrib.— Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 18. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p- 188. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i., t. 31. P. (Dictyopteris) cameroonianum—Dic-ty-op’-ter-is ; cam-er-oo-ni- a’-num (native of the Cameroons), Hooker. A very robust-growing, greenhouse species, native of the Cameroon Mountains, with fronds 3ft. to 4ft. long, 2ft. broad, and borne on glossy stalks 4ft. long. The upper part of these fronds is divided nearly to the midrib into spear-shaped lobes; the lower leaflets, in the shape of the Greek delta, A, are sometimes more than lft. long, 6in. to Sin. broad, and cut down below nearly to the rachis into pinnatifid, spear-shaped lobes of a soft, papery texture and naked on both sides. The spore masses are disposed in rows near the main veins.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 104. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. P. capillare—cap-il-la’-ré (hair-like), Desvauc. The habitat of this stove species extends from the West Indies to Peru. Its fronds, 1ft. long and 2in. broad, of a flaccid nature and pendent habit, are borne on tufted, short, slender stalks of a wiry nature. The leaflets, lin. to 2in. long, are either entire or lobed, and of a soft, papery texture. The copious spore masses are disposed in two long rows.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv,, p- 231, t. 279. P. (Phymatodes) capitellatum—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; cap-it-el-la’-tum (small- headed). Synonymous with P. juglandifolium. P. (Phegopteris) Carrii—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; Car’-ri-i (Lieut. Carr's), Baker. This stove species, with simply-pinnate, oblong-spear-shaped fronds lft. to 2ft. long, borne on straw-coloured stalks 6in. to 12in. long, is a native of Rio 12 116 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. Janeiro. The strap-shaped leaflets, 4in. to 6in. long, fin. to lin. broad, and bluntly lobed, are short-stalked at the lower part of the frond; they are unequal at the base, the lower side being more wedge-shaped. The fronds are of a moderately firm texture, bright green and smooth on both surfaces, with the midribs below rather scaly; their sori (spore masses) are disposed near the main veins.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 305. P. (Goniophlebium) Catharinze—Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; Cath-ar-i/-ne (St. Catharine’s), Langsdorff and Fischer. This easily-cultivated, evergreen, stove species, of medium dimensions, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1841, is a native of Brazil. Its simply-pinnate fronds, 6in. to 12in. long and 3in. to 5in. broad, are produced from a wide-creeping rhizome clothed with dark brown, spreading scales, and borne on erect, naked stalks 4in. to 6in. long and of a glossy nature. The texture of their leaflets, which are 1}in. to 3in. long and jin. to din. broad, is somewhat leathery, and their colour is dark, dull green. The large, round sori (spore masses) are disposed in single rows close to the midrib. . Catherine of gardens is synonymous with P. loriceum latipes.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 20. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 44. P. (Phegopteris) caudatum — Phe-gop’-ter-is ; cau-da’-tum (tailed), Kaulfuss. This is a strong-growing, stove species, native of Cuba and Brazil. Its ample, much-divided fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long, lft. to 1}ft. broad, borne on firm, angular, brownish stalks lft. to 14ft. long, are furnished with leaflets Gin. to 9in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, of a soft, papery texture, and naked on both surfaces. These leaflets are cut down to a distinctly-winged rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) into oblong-sickle-shaped, distinctly-toothed lobes of about equal size throughout. The sori (spore masses) are disposed close to the midrib.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 241. P. (Goniophlebium) caudiceps — Go-ni-oph-leb/-i-um (tail-headed), Baker. A stove species, of small dimensions, native of Formosa, with simple . ‘dj ; cau’-dic-eps (undivided), smooth, oblong-spear-shaped fronds 6in. long, lin. or more in POLYPODIUM. 117 breadth, tapering below to a narrow wing, their extremity being drawn out. into a narrow, attenuated point or tail, from which character the specific name is derived. These fronds, produced from a long, slender, creeping rhizome, are borne on stalks 2in. to 4in, long and of a slender nature. The round, naked sori (spore masses) are produced on the lowest veinlet.— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 592. P. (Goniophlebium) chnoodes — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; chno-o’-des (resembling down or wool), Sprengel. A stove species, of elegant, drooping habit, native of the West Indies and Venezuela, and very useful for growing in hanging baskets. According to Lowe, who describes it under the name of P. dissimile, this species was introduced into England in the year 1820. Its drooping fronds, Ift. to 2ft. long and 4in. to Yin. broad, are cut down to the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) into distinct, sickle-shaped, opposite leaflets 2in. to 4in. long, din. to 3in. broad, heart-shaped at the base, of a soft, papery texture, light green in colour, and finely hairy on both surfaces. They are produced from a stout rhizome densely clothed with soft, spreading scales of a dull brown colour, and borne on erect, slender, naked stalks din. to 6in. long. The spore masses are disposed in two series on each side of the main veins. See Coloured Plate. —Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 25. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, it., t. 35. P. chrysolepis—chry-sol’-ep-is (having golden scales), Hooker. Although of small dimensions and of little decorative value, this pretty little, stove species, native of the Andes of Quito, is very interesting. Its entire (undivided) fronds, 2in. to 3in. long and din. broad, terminate in a sharp point, but their lower part is very gradually narrowed ; they are produced from a wide-creeping rhizome, densely clothed with rough scales of a reddish- brown colour, and borne on stalks about lin. long and scaly. The texture is thick and leathery, and both surfaces are clothed with small, pale-coloured scales attached by the centre of the disk. The large, round sori (spore masses) are disposed in rows nearer the midrib than the edge—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 173; Icones Plantarum, t. 721. P. (Goniophlebium) ciliatum — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; eil-i-a/-tum (ciliated). A variety of P. piloselloiles. 118 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Goniophlebium) colpodes — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; col-po’-dés (embosomed). This is synonymous with P. plesiosorum. P. concinnum—con-cin’-num (pretty). A synonym of P. lanigerum. P. (Niphobolus) confluens — Niph-ob’-ol-us ; con’-fli-ens (cohering), R. Brown. A singular, greenhouse species, of very small dimensions, native of Temperate Eastern Australia, with fronds of two totally different characters, produced from a wide-creeping, thread-like rhizome. The barren ones are roundish or oblong; the fertile ones are longer and narrower, seldom more than lin. long and }in. broad, with the edge quite entire. Both kinds are of a leathery texture, naked on their upper surface, but densely clothed on their under-side with a reddish-brown, woolly substance. The sori (spore masses), though immersed, are prominent and sometimes cover the whole under-surface of the frond. There is another plant of totally different habit, known in commerce under the name of P. confluens of Fée; this is synonymous with P. apiculatum.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 46. P. (Drynaria) conjugatum — Dryn-a’-ri-a ; con-jug-a’-tum (mixed), Lamarck. This very handsome, stove species, which is the P. coronans of Wallich, is a native of Northern India (according to Beddome, it occurs in Nepaul, Kumaon, Assam, Sikkim, Khasya, Mishmee, and Moylmein), Hong-Kong, &c. It must not be confounded with P. coronans of gardens, which is P. Heracleum of Kunze, a totally different plant. The handsome fronds, which are arranged in a circle and produced from a very thick rhizome densely matted with narrow, bright brown scales, are 2ft. to 4ft. long and lft. to 1}ft. broad. Their stalk is furnished with a lobed wing 2in. to 4in. broad on each side at the base ; this is narrowed and more deeply lobed upwards, gradually passing into the frond, which is cut down nearly to the rachis throughout into entire leaflets 4in. to 8in. long, lin. to 14in. broad, of a rigid texture, and naked on both sides. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a single row close to the anterior main vein, and are sometimes confluent.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 95; Filices Exotice, t. 91. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 13. POLYPODIUM. 119 P. (Phegopteris) connexum—Phe-gop’-ter-is; con-nex’-um (connecting), Kaulfuss. A stove species, of large dimensions, native of Brazil, with tripinnatifid fronds in shape of the Greek delta, A, 3ft. to 4ft. or more in length, 2ft. or more in breadth, and borne on firm, naked stalks 3ft. to 4ft. long. The lower leaflets, broadly spear-shaped and Sin. to 12in. long, are furnished with leafits 3in. to 4in. long, #in. broad, cut down nearly to the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) into oblong, entire or slightly notched lobes about jin. broad. They are of a soft, papery texture and naked on both sides. The spore masses are disposed one row each side of the main veins.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 261. P. (Goniophlebium) cordatum — Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; cor-da’-tum (heart-shaped), Kunze. The fronds of this stove species, native of Peru, are produced from a stout, scaly rhizome, and borne on strong and quite naked stalks Ift. or more in length. They are simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), 14ft. to 2ft. long, 8in. to 10in. broad, and furnished with leaflets tin. to Sin. long, about lin. broad, sharp-pointed at the extremity, heart-shaped at the base, with the edge entire, and of a leathery texture. The spore masses, disposed in one or two rows, are immersed in the frond.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 345. P. (Drynaria) coronans—Dryn-a’-ri-a ; cor-o/-nans (crowned). This is synonymous with P. conjugatum. P. coronans of gardens is identical with P. Heracleum. P. (Goniopteris) costatum—Go-ni-op’-ter-is ; cos-ta’-tum (ribbed), Looker. A robust-growing, stove species, native of the Society Islands and Fiji, with fronds 3ft. to 4ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, borne on stalks 1ft. or more in length, strong, brownish, and of a glossy nature. The fronds are furnished with numerous leaflets Sin. to 10in. long, 14in. to 14in. broad, cut down two-thirds of the way to the midrib into nearly entire, bluntish lobes, with a space between them; they are of a somewhat leathery texture, and the spore masses are disposed close to the main vein.—/ooker, Species Fultoum, ¥., ps Ts 120 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. P. (Phymatodes) crassifolium—Phy-mat-o’-dés ; cras-sif-ol’-i-um (thick- leaved), Linneus. The range of habitat of this singular-looking, stove species extends from the West Indies and Mexico to Brazil. and Peru, where it is said to be common. Its simple (undivided) fronds, lft. to 3ft. long, lin. to 5in. broad, gradually narrowed to both ends, and with the edge entire, are borne on strong, upright stalks 2in. to 6in. long, and produced from a short-creeping rhizome of a woody nature, clothed with egg-shaped scales of a dull brown colour They are of a very leathery texture, and their upper surface shows a few scattered, small, white dots. The spore masses are disposed in single rows between the main veins—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 62. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. P. c. albo-punctatissimum — al-bo-punc-ta-tis’-sim-um (much dotted with white), J. Smith. This form of the above species, which is very variable, was, according to Lowe, introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1842. It is readily distinguished from the species through the glaucous colour of its fronds, the upper surface of which is covered with small, white dots.—ZLowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 36. P. crassifrons—cras’-sif-rons (thick-fronded), Baker. A small-growing, stove species, of little decorative value, with undivided fronds barely 6in. long, 3in. broad, and of a very thick texture. It is a native of New Caledonia.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 325. P. (Phymatodes) crassinervium—Phy-mat-o’-dés ;_ cras-sin-er’-vi-um (thickly-nerved). This is synonymous with P. platyphyllum. P. (Goniopteris) crenatum — Go-ni-op’-ter-is ; cre-na’-tum (scalloped), Swartz. This very handsome, stove species, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1835, is a native of the West Indies, St. Domingo, Martinique, &c. Its simply-pinnate fronds, of an evergreen nature, and borne on erect, naked or slightly hairy stalks 1ft. to 2ft. long, are Ift. to 2ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, and composed of an oblong- POLYPODIUM. 121 spear-shaped terminal leaflet 6in. to Sin. long and 1}in. to 2in. broad, with the edge either entire or a little bluntly lobed, and from two to four opposite pairs of similar lateral ones, all of a soft, papery texture and pale green colour. The abundant and very conspicuous sori (spore masses) are disposed in rows near the main veins.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 2. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i, t. 263. P. (Phegopteris) crinale—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; cri-na/-lé (hairy), Hooker and Arnott. A stove species, of somewhat large dimensions, native of the Sandwich Islands, with ample and much-divided fronds, borne on tufted, stout stalks densely clothed with rough scales of a hairy nature. They are usually from 2ft. to 3ft. long, lft. or more in breadth, with broadly spear-shaped leaflets and blunt leafits 13in. to 2in. long, again cut into rounded, blunt lobes, the lower ones reaching down to the midrib. The fronds are of a leathery texture, and the sori (spore masses) are disposed one to each lobe and situated near the upper edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 266. P. (Phymatodes) crispatum — Phy-mat-o’-dés ; cris-pa’-tum (curled), Hooker. This is a pretty, stove species, native of Panama. Its nearly entire, strap-shaped fronds, bluntly lobed a quarter or sometimes even half-way to the midrib, of a pendent habit and somewhat leathery texture, thinly clothed on both sides with soft hairs, are 6in. to 18in. long and Hin. to {in. broad ; they are borne on tufted, slender stalks lin. to 2in. long and clothed with hairs of the same nature as those of the fronds. The small sori (spore masses) are quite immersed in the frond, being disposed from two to six to each lobe.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 1. P. (Phegopteris) cubanum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; cub-a’-num (Cuban), Baker. A small, stove species, native of Cuba, of little decorative value, closely related to P. reptans.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 233. P. cultratum—cul-tra’-tum (knife-like), Willdenow. A stove species, with fronds of a flaccid nature and pendulous habit, 6in. to 18in. long, din. to lin. broad, cut down to the rachis into close, horizontal 122 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. or decurved, blunt leaflets of a soft, papery texture. These fronds are borne on short, tufted, slender stalks, clothed with soft, brown hairs. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a row on each side of and close to the midvein. The habitat of this species extends from Cuba and Guatemala to Brazil and Peru; it is also found in the Mauritius and at Fernando Po.— Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 190. P. (Dictyopteris) Cumingianum— Dic-ty-op’-ter-is ; Cum-ing-i-a’/-num (Cuming’s). Synonymous with P. macrodon. P. (Niphobolus) cuneatum — Niph-ob’-ol-us ; cun-é-a/-tum (wedge- shaped), Kuhn. This is a stove species, of very small dimensions and little decorative value, with barren and fertile fronds totally different in shape, produced from a slender rhizome, and of a leathery texture. It is a native of Hcuador.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 513. P. (Phymatodes) Cunninghami — Phy-mat-o’-dés ; Cun-ning-ham’-i _(Cunningham’s), Hooker. A greenhouse species, of medium dimensions, native of New Zealand and the New Hebrides, producing from a short-creeping rhizome clothed with large, spear-shaped scales of a dull brown colour its simple (undivided) fronds 6in. to 12in. long and about 3in. broad. These fronds are of a leathery texture, yet not rigid, and naked on both surfaces; they are sharp-pointed at their extremity, their edge is entire, and their widest part about half-way down, from which they are gradually narrowed to the base or a short stalk. The large and prominent sori (spore masses) are not immersed, either roundish or oblong, and disposed in a row nearer the midrib than the edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 58; Icones Plantarum, t. 409. P. curvatum—cur-va/-tum (curved), Swartz. A stove species, of medium size, native of Jamaica, Ecuador, and Peru, producing from a stout, scaly rhizome fronds 1ft. to lift. long, 2in, to 3in. broad, and borne on dark brown stalks 3in. to din. long and of a naked, glossy nature. The fronds, of a pendent habit, are cut down to the curved and flexuous rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) into close, narrow, notched leaflets POLYPODIUM. 123 of a somewhat leathery texture and naked on both sides. The sori (spore masses), of a bright yellow colour, are disposed in two long rows, one on each side of the midvein—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 201. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. P. (Goniophlebium) cuspidatum—Go-ni-oph-leb’-i-um ; cus-pid-a’-tum (pointed). This is synonymous with P. persice/folium. P. (Phegopteris) cyathezefolium—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; cf-ath’-¢-a-fol’-1-um (Cyathea-fronded), Desvaux. With this stove species, native of Mauritius and Bourbon Island, P. Sieberianum is synonymous. Its ample fronds, 13ft. to 2ft. long, 1ft. or more in breadth, and borne on firm, naked stalks 1}ft. to 2lt. long, have their leaflets Gin. to Yin. long, Zin. or more in breadth, and cut down to a broadly-winged rachis into sickle-shaped, entire lobes, the lowest pair being rather smaller and deflexed. They are of a soft, papery texture, and the spore masses are disposed about the centre of the lobes.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 235. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 188. P. dareseforme—da’-ré-2-for’-mé (Darea-shaped), Hooker. A greenhouse species, with finely-cut foliage, native of Sikkim, Khasya, and Moulmein. Its somewhat triangular fronds, 1ft. to 14ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad, and borne on naked stalks 6in. to 9in. long and of a glossy nature, are produced from a stout, wide-creeping rhizome clothed with dense, narrow scales of a pale brown colour. The lower leaflets, 4in. to 6in. long and ldin. to 2in. broad, are broadly spear-shaped and furnished with oblong- spear-shaped leafits, which are again divided into either entire or forked segments of a soft, papery texture and naked on both sides. The sori (spore masses) are disposed at the extremity of the veins, one of which is found in each segment.—Hovker, Species [ilicum, iv., p. 256 ; Second Century of Ferns, t. 24. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 174. P. decorum—dec-o’-rum (decorous), Brackenridge. A stove species, of small dimensions and of little decorative value, with fronds 6in. to 12in. long, barely lin. broad, simply pinnate, and of a leathery texture. It is a native of Ceylon, Malaysia, the Philippine Islands, 124 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. Tahiti, and the Sandwich Islands.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 179. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 238. P. (Phlebodium) decumanum—Phleb-o’-di-um ; dec-um-a’-num (large), Willdenow. This stove species, of large dimensions, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1841, is closely allied to the popular P. aureum, and is also known as P. dictyocallis. It is a native of New Granada, Brazil, and Peru. The fronds, narrower and slenderer than those of that popular species, are produced from a stout rhizome densely clothed with soft, bright brownish scales, and borne on stout, upright stalks lft. to 2ft. long and of a glossy nature. The fronds themselves, lft. to 3ft. long and Ift. to 2ft. broad, are cut down nearly, or below quite, to the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) into nearly entire, strap-shaped leaflets often 1ft. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, of a soft, papery texture and pale green colour, and beautifully veined. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in one row on each side of the midvein and immersed in the frond.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p- 17. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 14. P. (Campyloneuron) decurrens — Camp-yl-on-eur’-on ; de-cur’-rens (decurrent, attached to the stalk), Raddi. This interesting, stove Fern, of large dimensions, native of Brazil and Peru, is a striking object on account of the distinct and prominent marking of the veins of its fronds. According to Lowe, it was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1841. Its fronds, of a somewhat erect habit and borne on firm, naked stalks 6in. to 12in. long, are produced from rather slender rhizomes of a wiry nature. They are 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1dft. to 2ft. broad, and furnished with sharp-pointed, spear-shaped leaflets 8in. to 12in. long, narrowed at the base, where they run along the rachis; these leaflets are of a somewhat leathery texture, of a dark green colour, and have nearly entire edges. The sori (spore masses), of a peculiar pale straw-colour, are disposed midway between the midrib and the edge.—Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 42. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii, t. 4. POLYPODIUM. 125 P. (Phegopteris) decussatum — Phe-gop’-ter-is ; dec-us-sa/-tum (cross- leaved), Linneus. A very robust-growing, stove species, native of the West Indies, Peru, and Brazil, with fronds 3ft. to 4ft. long, lft. to 14ft. broad, borne on stout, erect stalks 2ft. to 3ft. long, scaly towards the base, polished upwards, sometimes slightly rough with short points. They are furnished with leaflets 8in. to 12in. long, lin. to 1}in. broad, cut down nearly or quite to the rachis into close, spreading, entire lobes, showing a distinct gland at the base beneath. The substance of the frond is thin, and densely but minutely pubescent. The abundant and very minute sori (spore masses) are disposed in rows near the midrib.— Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 244. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 188. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii, t. 54. P. (Phegopteris) deflexum—Phe-gop’-ter-is ; de-flex’-um (bent down), Baker. This stove species, of medium dimensions, native of New Granada, was, according to Lowe, introduced into England in 1830. It is a plant of graceful habit, with fronds 8in. to 12in. long, 2in. broad, borne on naked, slender stalks 2in. to 3in. long. They are furnished with sharp-pointed, spear-shaped leaflets, the lower ones bent down, very distant, and dwindling to mere auricles; these are of a soft texture and of a heavy, dull green colour. The prominent, pale-coloured sori (spore masses) are disposed nearer the midrib than the edge.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 305. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iti., p. 188. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 45. P. delicatulum—de-lic-a’-tul-um (somewhat delicate), Mertens and Galeotti. A small-growing, stove species, native of Mexico and: Ecuador, with pinnate fronds 4in. to 6in. long, barely din. broad, produced from a wide-creeping rhizome, and borne on tufted, wiry stalks lin. to 2in. long and densely clothed with long, soft hairs. The abundant sori (spore masses) are disposed six to eight to a leaflet, in which they are partly immersed.—Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 184. P. dependens—de-pen’-dens (hanging down), Baker. This stove species, native of the Andes of Ecuador, has fronds of a pendent habit and flaccid texture, 2ft. or more in length, barely 3in, broad, borne on 126 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. short, tufted, thread-like stalks clothed with soft, spreading hairs. The broadly-oblong, blunt, entire leaflets are of a soft, papery texture and slightly hairy on both sides; they are alternate (not opposite) and about }in. apart in the centre of the frond. The spore masses are disposed close to the midrib.— Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 335. P. (Grammitis) Deplanchei—Gram-mi’-tis ; Dep-lanch’-é-i (Deplanche’s), Baker. A stove species, of small dimensions, native of New Caledonia, producing from a stout rhizome densely clothed with stiff, dark brown scales its stalkless fronds, 6in. to 9in. long, din. broad, gradually narrowed to both ends, with the edge entire or with a few conspicuous blunt teeth about the middle; they are of a very leathery texture and naked on both sides. The oblong, oblique, immersed sori (spore masses) are disposed in close rows in the upper half of the frond near the edge.—Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 322. P. (Phegopteris) Dianze — Phe-gop’-ter-is ; Di-a’-ne (Diana’s).