es a ee
American Hern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
EDITORS
C. V. MORTON
R. C. BENEDICT IRA L. WIGGINS
A. C. SMITH
VOLUME 48 — +4.4
i 9.5 6 \oS4
BUSINESS PRESS, LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
MrssoOuUR! BOTANICAL
GARDEN LIBRARY
Contents
VoLuME 48, NUMBER 1, Paces 1-64, ISsuED ApRIL 17, 1958
An Amateur Plants Fern Spores ................... athryn Boydston 1
Onnervations on tivated rerhs, V. The ach and Forms
of Nephrolepis C. V. Morton 18
Diplazium japonicum omens in poses ida
C. on and R. K. Godfrey 28
Seca of Some New ee atiied ions ...... pees erases Blot 31
s on panama Pteridophyta; Ilo. . Fosberg 35
oles on the Distribution of Asplenium kentains
: Wagner, dr 39
4
Recent Fern Literatur
Notes and New ye Charter Member Honored; Annual
Meeting, apc "Annual Summer Field-trip, 1958; Letter
Regarding Micka
American Porn aS eockrs: Cae ai of President ; fants} of Curator
and Librarian; Rep. of Treasurer; Rep. of Auditing Com-
mittee; Rep. of Rents Rep. of p Eee % Elections; Rep.
of California Field-trip
VotuME 48, NuMBER 2, Pages 65-96, IssuED JUNE 19, 1958
Ferns as a Hobby in Southern California ........... . C. Benedict 65
Is oy not um a ir gt Che hans meres “ ‘Ha ke 68
] Fern in Cultiv Barbara Joe 72
The Identity of > oly oat ‘cide Gilbert pila: of V. Morton 75
Ophioglossum vulgatum in Missouri ..... Julian A, Steyermark 77
ome Critical and New Geuteal ‘Kikerldad Species of Uro-
stachys WwW. rter 81
Shorter Notes: The Holly-fern, Cyrtomium faledtant, Outdoors
in Ohio Soc pata Adiantum-nigrum Again oc ncen
Recent Pern Literatu
Notes and N are a Plans for a 1959 Field-trip; Organ-
oe of de roe Angeles Fern Society; Member Honored ;
w Membership List; Spore amet Invited; Exchange
favticd British Dealer in Fern BOUTUE oe alae een
American Fern Society: Report of the Sian Exchange ............ 94
VoLUME 48, NuMBER 3, Paces 97-128, IssuzD OcTOBER 13, 1958
Isoétes in paps Canada
8 H. Soper and Sathyanarayana Rao 97
Physiological SM va wit Azolla under hag Conditions, I.
Isolation and Preliminary Growth Stud
Louis G. Nickell 103
New Jamaican Species of Ctenitis .......... George H. Proctor 108
The Taxonomic Position of Saccoloma Wercklei
. U. Kramer 111
An Unusual Hawaiian Population of Opleplosum pendulum
Eugene Horner 118
Shorter Notes: Dryopteris eatlcnging in Illinois; A New
alif ntum Tracyi .... seeuitntmnemernsennenene LB
VoLUME 48, NuMBER 4, Paces 129-176, IssuED DecEMBER 31, 1958
ina Roster, Weatherby 2 Alice F. Tryon 129
The Californian Species of Thelypteris 0.03. C. V. Morton 136
The Correct Name of the Mountain Fern ... Hans Peter Fuchs 142
A New Hybrid Spleenwort from Artificial Culture at du
wood and its Relationship to a Peculiar Plant fro
Virginia ........... . H, Wagner, Jr., and Kathryn E. INO: 146
An Unusual Form of Asplenium Bradleyi
allace R. Weber and Robert H. Mohlenbrock 159
rings iad the Sowing of Spores of Ferns for Arti-
HOARE OMY O's a Bernard T. Bridgers 161
Is It a aie OF @ Bpeciee? ut Fern Ward Crane 164
Shorter Notes: A Rare sans Ot the Deet-feia go 165
Recent Fern Literatur
Notes and News ...........
merican Fern Society
Index to Volume 48
Vol. 48 January—March, 1958 No. 1
American Hern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
se
EDITORS
Cc. V. MORTON
R. C. BENEDICT IRA L. WIGGINS
A. C. SMITH
CONTENTS
An Amateur Plants Fern Spores ......... KATHRYN Boypston” 1
ations on Cultivated Ferns, VY. The ene and
Forms of Nephrolepis . V. Morton 18
Diplazium icum Netecolnes in Flori nig
= C. V. Morton anp R. K. Goprrey 28
Validation of Some New cae, . Mg. Tarprgeu-Bior 31 Pies
on Micronesian Pisidlpplcria, Ul. “RR. Pome 8h.
Notes on the Distribution of a. ccmekhons
We 3, Waces. JR. 39
44
Recent Fern Literatare
Notes and News: Our Charter Member Ho nored; Annu
Meeting 1958; Annual Summer Field-trip, 1958; Laer:
: Wirsah pia 45
‘ ng
es Fern Society: Grove: of President; Rep. of
oa ee oe and Librarian; eed of Treasurer; Cs
Auditi Committee; | Seeretary; — Bre EME He's
i p. of California Fic ield-trip nn
Che American Heru Society
Connril for 1955
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
Ira L. oe Dudley Herbarium, Stanford iectage _
forni President
saree E. "BENEDICT, JR., 945 Pennsylvania Ave., ~ ah , Washing.
President
ecees E. cae Department of Botany, syiccus Uaive ersity,
use, New or. see
Watter 8S. PHILLIPS Schaar of Botany, eee. of Ari
zona, Tueson , Ari asurer
C. V. Morton, Sicithaeatadi Institution, Washington 25,
5 Edi we -in- bier
OFFICIAL ORGAN
American Fern Journal
EDITOR
C. V. Morton ............ Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
RB. C. BEenepict ....... ~-- 2214 Beverly Road, Brooklyn 26, N. Y.
Tra L. Wicarns .... Dudley Her erbarium, Stanford University, Calif.
A. C. SMITH .... National Science Foundation, Washington 25, D. C.
An Slivatrwted quarterly devoted to the general study of ferns.
Subseription, $2.35 per year, foreign, 10 cents extra: 3 sent free
to members of the AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY (annual dues,
- 3} Sustaining membership, $5.00; i 0.00)
Extracted reprints, if ordered in advance, will be Ldap authors
at cost. They should be ordered when n proof is
__ Back volumes $1.50 each, except vols. = 38, and 40, gs ——
back numbers 50 cents each 1, except vol. 38, no. 4 and vol.
-25; Cumulative Index to vols. 1-85, 25 eents. Ten ee gee
diseount on orders of six volumes or more
Matter for publication should be nddveesiid to C. V. Morton,
D, C.
= _ Smithsonian Institution, Wash ashington 25,
Orders for back numbers and and other business eommunications
ee = = caer to the Treasurer of the Society.
SS Ss een STs
LIBRARIAN AND: CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM
R M. Tryon, te i i ,M
S rs
Ampriran Bern Journal
Vou. 48 JANUARY-MarcH, 1958 No. 1
An Amateur Plants Fern Spores!
KATHRYN BoypstTon
To plant infinitesimal spores and then (eventually) to
watch the unfolding ferns of many forms and sizes has
been an absorbing interest, a fascinating hobby, a thrill-
ing and rewarding experience of the past three years.
Many others have done the same thing and probably the
only reason I have been asked to write of my experiments
is to show that it is an easy possibility open to anyone with
a window-sill or a few square feet of space. If your in-
terest isn’t keen at planting time, I assure you it will be
aroused by those first tiny pricks of green, will mount
when these green points turn into lovely ruffled prothallia,
and will reach fever-pitch when these give rise to the tiny
sporophytes (usually like very small clover or violet
leaves at first) which are the beginnings of the true fern.
At every stage, such a lively green!
There have been some failures and disappointments, but
surprisingly so many more successes. In a few particu-
lars, I have had to do things a bit differently from meth-
ods described in the American Fern Journal, and these
will be mentioned, but the main fact of interest to those
who have seen my ferns is the large number I have been
able to grow in a very small space.
The little porch shown in the accompanying picture is
smaller even than it looks, scarcely 6 x 8 feet in all, and
what is there now was not really planned. Like Topsy,
1 A paper delivered at the Annual poe e the American Fern
Society, ee d University, Augus
7olum , No. 4, of the Jou ol at 16 was issued De-
cember 36, eer cy
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
VOLUME 48, PLATE 1
BELOW SPORE PLANTINGS I
ADTANTUMS
N DISHES A
rHES,
AND BROUGHT IN FOR WINTE
ND SPORELINGS IN CASE: ABOV
,» CHEILAN’
VE
PHYLLITIS, AND NEPHROLEPIS POTTED
R; PHOTOGRAPH JANUARY 15, 1957
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN Spores 3
“it Just grew,’’ and it might never have come about at all
except for my fortunate meeting with our late treasurer
Mr. Matt Mann on the Vermont-New York Fern Society
field trip in 1952.
SvTart OF INTEREST
For many years, I had been torn between two compul-
sions, an insatiable interest in ferns and a deep belief
in conservation. There was a strong urge in me to see
or to have every fern I heard or read about. The more
I had, the more I wanted, whether they were in a con-
noisseurs’ catalogue, in a lovely woods, or just beyond
a barbed-wire fence. Especially did I crave the smaller
rock-loving ferns, and the rarer they were, the more I
desired them! My urge to conserve kept me within
bounds, and though I am quite sure I’d never have de-
nuded a rock of its rare Aspleniums or touched a rarer
hart’s-tongue, this did not in the least lessen my wanting
them.
Mr. Matthew Mann claimed to be an amateur, vet he
was successfully growing many ferns in a roughly made
propagating box in his basement. His methods were de-
scribed and his propagator pictured later in the Jour-
nal.” As he gathered a few bits of fertile fronds on the
trip, or shook spores into an envelope, he generously
answered my many questions and added his assurance
that if he could do it, I could too. He gave me a bit of
each kind he gathered and thus opened up a whole new
world to me as I realized that perhaps some of these
long-wanted, nearly-gone, or extremely rare ferns might
be grown right here, and this as a help to conservation
rather than a hindrance!
INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT
Instead of the basement for propagation, I began to
* Benedict, R. C., Aids to Spore Culture. This JournaL 45:
60-64. 1955
4 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
think of this small back porch which had little or no use
except to serve as a catchall for galoshes, coke bottles,
and grocery boxes. Off the too-small kitchen, it was an
eyesore to everyone yet a propagating box such as Mr.
Mann described would not be welcome here either, as it
would be in full view of everyone coming in the front
door, Instead of being closed up in a box with the
fluorescent light, why not enclose and cover the spore
plantings with glass and have the fluorescent light out-
side the glass? Little by little this idea was worked out,
but only after many and devious dealings with many
and different men. First the carpenter who moved the
permanent outside door of the kitchen to the west side
of the porch, built a new flight of steps to it, added a
second series of windows to match those already there,
insulated floor and ceiling and the wall below the win-
dows and built two U-shaped shelves around the outside
wall.
Next, an electrician who installed the lights just below
the top shelf, a double-tube 48” fluorescent light with
shade reflector for the center part and a matching 24”
double-tube light for each end section. Happily, the top
of these reflectors was painted light gray. An inexpen-
sive chicken-brooder timer was installed inside the broom
closet to automatically turn the lights on and off at ap-
pointed times. We chose an 18 hour light day (for no
particular reason except that some advice was for 16
hours, some for 20-24) and they come on at 5:00 a.m. and
go off at 11:00 p.m.
Now a part of the kitchen, the floors, had to be made
to match, and all the new wood had to be painted a
creamy light yellow like the kitchen walls. Then the
search began for someone to make large pans to hold the
pots of plants and drip therefrom. From their quoted
prices, some of those we talked to I’m sure thought we
wanted platinum rather than aluminum. Finally, they
were made in Chicago, these two large U-shaped pans
i ae ae i
-
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN Spores 5
each of them all in one piece with 2” sides and when they
arrived in their heavy large crates, had to be met at the
Station with a borrowed truck. The top one fell into
place a perfect fit. The bottom one could in no way be
made to fit. Unable to be tipped because of the broom
closet at one end and the house wall on the other, it fin-
ally had to be taken again by truck to South Bend to be
cut in two and new sides welded on. Next, brackets and
glass shelves. The carpenter had through a misunder-
standing put a 6” wooden shelf all around, half way be-
tween the two shelves. Though this would keep light
from reaching the lower area, it gave me the idea of a
glass shelf in the same position to hold many dishes of
planted spores—to save space and add interest at the
Same time.
Up to this time I had intended to use many ivies or
scented geraniums or other house plants on the top shelf,
the fern plantings to be only below the lights. At
first there were some, but I blamed them for an infesta-
tion of thrips that later attacked hart’s-tongue and other
tender fern morsels below. Since then, no house plant
has found room. The ferns have taken over and have
proved a surprisingly magnetic attraction to all who
enter the front door and see them for the first time.
That first fall I tried planting spores gathered here
and on the 1952 and 1953 Fern Society trips. All the
recommended ways were tried. In fact I planted spores
of Pellaea atropurpurea and of Asplenium platyneuron
in six ways each. On the same day, spores from the same
fronds were planted: (1) on sterilized soil, (2) on porous
brick set in water, (3) on tuffa pieces set in water, (4)
on an inverted sphagnum-filled clay flower pot, (5) on
pure peat, and (6) on finely-sieved sphagnum. Each was
glass-covered. With both species the soil was so far
superior in amount as well as promptness of germina-
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 48, PLATE 2
CLOSE-UP OF PART OF LOWER © ASE IN PL,
1, SHOWING SPORELINGS IN
ROWS: CHEILANTHES LANOSA, ( AMPTOSORUS RHIZOPHYLLUS, PoLy-
PODIUM VU LGARE, AND CAMPTOSORUS SIBERICUS
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN SporES 7
tion, it has been used in all later work since then.
This first planting was fairly successful, but there was
something so untidy about all these glass-covered pots of
varying size and condition that it was far from satisfy-
ing and was the cause of Rule No. 1 being set up for all
future plans or decisions concerning this room: That
concern for congenial conditions for the ferns must be
equalled or overruled by eye-appeal and convenience to
the humans occupying or visiting this home. This diec-
tated the answer to our present problem. Clay pots
would be banished in favor of glass dishes for planting of
spores. These would be pyrex, which could be boiled,
baked or steamed. A row of them looked very perky on
the glass shelves. These were 18 round pyrex dishes 5”
in diameter, which were already on hand and just the
right number to fill the long shelf. So round pieces of
glass to fit were ordered and purchased.
No more like these could be found anywhere, all pyrex
casseroles having meantime grown ear-like handles on
each side and a knob on their covers. The smallest size
of these was chosen and 13 bought (for 15¢ each) for
use on the two side shelves.
The intention was to transplant later into other pans
or pyrex dishes perhaps, which could be glass-covered.
When the time came, however, there were so many little
ferns, half would have to be thrown out if this method
were to be followed. Of necessity, then, was born the
idea of planting these in rows directly in the soil of a
large terrarium-like case. So again we started our trek
from one man to another to find someone to make three
frames of one-inch metal, 7 inches high (no bottoms—
just side-braces) to hold pieces of glass. These frames
are light, easy to set into the big pan, and the metal we
painted light gray to match the aluminum. The four
pieces of glass in each one are slipped in and held tem-
porarily to the sides with scotch tape until the layers of
8 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
crushed stone and soil are put in, which later hold the
glass in place. When not in use, the glass can be cleaned
and stored in flat pieces and the frames hung on the
tool-house wall. One, two, or three may be used at one
time.
At times, these large terrarium cases must be glass-
covered. There is one piece to fit each of the two end
cases. The center case has two pieces of such size that
there are all together four different lengths (all the
same width). When the glass is to be removed, they can
be shifted around to let in gradually more air without
shock to the ferns.
By this time, Dr. Benedict had conceived of the Fern
Society Spore Exchange and knowing of my enthusiasm
for my newest venture asked me to take charge of it.
This was a challenge and an opportunity. As I began
to receive spores and also to gather more kinds myself,
it was soon apparent that more dishes were called for:
27 were bought for the upper shelves (intended for pots
of ivies, etc.), and Hang-a-pot holders were put up, three
on the window frames and three on the side of the broom
closet.
The seven two-year-old Nephrolepis’ on the summer
porch must come in soon but were too large to rest on the
shelf. So, we found a man to make some simple pot
stands that would raise their pots 11” above shelf level.
These were painted the same light gray of the frames
below. They added considerable interest by varying the
heights.
Additions last year included the two gray pottery
hanging baskets seen in Plate 3, a second complete
row of window shelves, and 27 more dishes! As the
spring was cold and late, the ferns in the lower cases
shown in Plate 1 had outgrown their quarters. More el-
bow room and root room were needed. So three ‘‘col-
lars’’ of the same heavy aluminum were made to fit the
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN SPORES 9
top pan. (Like the sides of a box they were, with no bot-
tom.) This allows 33” of soil and space for many more
rows of plants. They too may be used one, two, or three
at a time as need dictates and are easily stored when not
in use.
So now, at long last, I finally must agree with my hus-
band that there can be no more expansion of this small
space! What started as a minor alteration in deference
to an untried new hobby had turned into a major project
over a space of three years. The result is a neat, com-
pact place of soft yellow background where, aside from
green ferns, only glass and aluminum and aluminum-
colored paint are seen. The soft lights enhance the
beauty of the green plants, especially at night, bidding a
cheerful welcome at all times and continuing to be a con-
stant source of interest to all.
Only one more thing is needed. Some kind of shade to
protect dishes and plants above the lights from the win-
ter sun. In summer there are enough shade trees out-
side, but when the winter sun does shine through the
glass, it has been necessary to shade the dishes with a
strip of paper or cheesecloth. I plan now to weave some
matchstick push-back shades. Instead of the bright col-
ors usually used, these will have only the same light gray
and soft yellow already in the room, so as not to detract
attention from the ferns
There are all told 14 feet of 6” shelf under lights ¢ to ac-
comodate 31 dishes and 20 feet more above (with just
window light) for 54 dishes. In all then, 85 dishes for
planted spores and the gametophyte stage (the begin-
nings of life) of as many ferns, each in its own humid,
sterilized space.
In the lower cases, there are about 14 square feet of
soil space where row upon row of the ‘‘patches’’ of tiny
ferns grow from glass-covered ‘‘babyhood’’ to uncovered
‘‘childhood’’ under the lights; and above, the shelves are
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
VOLUME 48, PLATE 3
vo
g
'
LARGER PLANTS
MADE BY ADDITION
FROM LOWER CASE MOVED TO WINDOW HEIGHT BENCH
THE
OF ALUMINUM
May 25, 19:
“COLLARS”; PHOTOGRAPH
‘
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN SPORES 41
2” wider, offering about 164 square feet for rows of
larger ferns in their ‘‘youth.’’
GENERAL PROCEDURE
So much for the background, the existing physical set-
up, and the future of ferns raised therein. Now a little
about actual procedures, many of which, in order to con-
form to Rule No. 1 as set forth above, have been contrary
to written and spoken advice. All activities have been
‘‘strictly amateur’? and have not gone on long enough
or extensively enough to draw any definite ‘‘conclu-
sions.’’ ‘‘Observations’’ would be a better word, and a
few are offered here with the idea that some others of no
botanical or laboratory experience may have been de-
terred, as I was, from embarking on this adventure by
such mysterious-sounding phrases and directions as
‘‘sterile petri dishes,’’ ‘‘stock solutions of mineral nu-
trient,’’ ‘‘a liter of diluted solution,’’ ‘‘store spores in
gelatin capsules,’’ or ‘‘sow spores through an atomizer,’’
‘“‘agar must be sterilized, cooled and jelled,’’ ete. ete.
Here there is no agar, no nutrient solutions, and no labor-
atory equipment. All of it is easy, except for the trans-
planting and general shifting about that takes place
about four times a year and which does require a good
deal of time in carrying soil in and out and in washing
dishes. At all other times there is very little time spent
compared to the pleasure received.
Sorts
My soil mixture is unmeasured, but roughly the usual
1/3 leaf-mould, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 soil. If leaf-mould is
scarce, peat is substituted. Each ingredient is put
through a 1/4” mesh sieve, then well mixed. Some of
this mixture, which should have a ‘wood feel’’ (if it
doesn’t, add more leaf-mould or peat), is then sifted
through the fine mesh of an ordinary window screen.
Both mixtures are then sterilized in roasting pans in the
iz AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
kitchen oven set at 350° for 2 or 3 hours. Quite a bit of
water is added to each roaster in order to create steam
in the oven.
Meanwhile, the dishes are washed and sterilized in a
hot-water-bath canner. The first time, I followed some-
one’s directions to put the soil in the dishes and steril-
ize all at one time. But the water evaporated, leaving
the soil to harden onto the sides of the dish in an un-
sightly and unremovable ring. Since then they have al-
ways been sterilized separately.
When the soil has cooled sufficiently the finer mixture
is spooned into the dishes, or used as the top layer in the
cases where the tiny patches will be planted. The coarser
mixture is all right for the under-layer and for anywhere
that larger ferns will be planted.
A mistake of my first planting was in filling in the soil
too near the top of the dish as I was accustomed to doing
in planting seeds, only to find later there was no space
for the prothallia and tiny ferns to grow, yet these still
have to be glass-covered. I realized that very little soil
is needed at this beginning stage, so now leave at least
3/4 inch of space between soil and glass. It is gently
tamped into a smooth flat surface with any flat-bottomed
glass or tamper. If it seems too dry, some distilled water
is added and the cover put on.
One other point which seems unlikely but true: The
type of soil seems to be unimportant in influencing ger-
mination. Acid and lime-loving alike germinate on the
same soil mixture. For later growth, one of the side
cases above and one below are filled with an acid soil for
those species that require it.
PLANTING
When all dishes to be planted are thus prepared, they
are taken, one at a time, into another room to be planted.
Here only one envelope of one kind of spore is opened, a
few spores are shaken or scraped with the back of a table
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN SPORES i3
knife onto a white clean paper, and then put through the
finest tea-strainer I could find onto a second white paper,
and then examined with a hand-lens or magnifying glass
to be sure the microscopic spores are really there. They
are then planted by tapping the paper over the dish.
Even with this care in planting one kind at a time and
using clean paper, there are still spores in the air and
later on in many cases surprising additions to those
planted sometimes appear in the rows.
PARASITES AND PEsts
In spite of oven sterilizations of the soil (which of
course is not a laboratory-sure-proof method) oceasion-
ally a dish shows spots of a gray mould. If seen and
acted on quickly, the rapid spread of the mould over the
whole dish can sometimes, though not always, be stopped
by following the advice I received from Mrs. Diddell—
to remove the affected spot and drop a few drops of cop-
per sulphate solution on the soil and edges. Even worse,
but fortunately less common, is a black alga which
quickly turns the lovely green to slimy black! In theory,
with 85 dishes planted, the loss of one or a few should
not be cause for discouragement or sorrow, but in fact,
it always seems to be the most-wanted or rarest one or
the one of which the supply is exhausted that is affected!
TRANSPLANTING
For first transplanting the little patches from the
dishes, the tool I find to be unintended but perfectly
adapted for the job is an apple-corer. The shape of the
Sharp point is just right for digging around and lifting
a small patch, the rounded back presses it into the soil,
and then is neatly withdrawn, and the point again used
to gently tamp bits of soil around the edge of the little
circle of green and to smooth out the row. The job is
done without ever a touch by fingers or thumbs; though
‘‘man’s best tools’’, they are far too clumsy for this
fairy-sized task.
14 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
WATERING
Depending on weather and temperature, these dishes
need watering only every 10-20 days. The logic of ‘‘con-
stant moisture’’ of clay pots standing in water is reason-
able, but as pointed out, untidy. In order to have the
neatness of the pyrex dishes I preferred to gamble on the
correct amount of moisture. Sometimes, due to my ab-
sence or the pressure of duties some have become too dry
but if watered in time the plants seem to recover, Al-
though frequent advice is to keep them ‘“very moist and
humid’’ my experience and the advice from the Univer-
sity of Michigan is that to err on the dry side is much
better than keeping them too wet. While in the dishes,
watering is done with bottled distilled water; when first
in the cases, with boiled water, and later, when they have
reached the ‘‘uncovered’’ or ‘“‘upstairs’’ stage, they are
able to cope with water from the faucet.
At the present time I am experimenting by completely
sealing several dishes. At planting time a small roll of
floral clay was put around the rim of the dish and the
cover pressed tightly onto it. These dishes show daily
droplets of moisture on the cover. Other unsealed dishes
planted at the same time have been watered three times.
This planting in rows, all in the same container rather
than in separate pots or pans, seemed at first to be taking
a desperate chance, Fungus or pest trouble of other
sorts might destroy them all. But this has never hap-
pened—yet.. Any such thing is promptly removed, as is
most of the moss appearing while the ferns are small.
Again, the watering is a guess and gamble but the layer
of crushed stone at the bottom assures good drainage and
with even fair judgment and a little planting experience
there seems to be little danger of over-watering.
When the plants are large enough, watering is quickly
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN Spores 15
done with a bulb sprinkler. Before that it is done with
a hand sprayer which gives a fog-mist spray.
FERTILIZING
As the ferns grow and the rows become crowded, it
Seenis reasonable and right to give them an occasional
lift with a weaker-than-usual solution of Rapid Gro or
other safe fertilizer. This is done every 3 to 4 weeks.
LABELLING
Each planted dish is labelled, by printing in very
small letters on a strip of paper, a strip narrow enough
for scotch tape to cover it on all sides, to hold it securely
on the dish and protect it from water.
At first, it was the intention to mark each row with
small green plastic markers bought for the purpose. But
finding these were impractical due to the difficulty of
keeping them straight-up and to their illegibility through
moisture and glass, there are no name markers to detract
from the ferns. Instead, a written record is kept. A list
of names of ferns in each row in each section is made
and thumb-tacked to the inside of the handy broom-closet
oor. These dated lists must of course be changed each
time there is an exodus or entrance of new plantings, but
the old ones are kept, and form a good back-check when
needed. Quite unscientific, the lists nevertheless quickly
Show the species planted, date of planting, source of the
Spores and (sometimes) the date of first germination and
first transplanting. They show, for instance, that spores
having 18 hours of artificial light germinate in 2 to 4
weeks, whereas those planted at the same time having
only window daylight take a week to a month longer.
In one year one planting kept under lights saved three
to four months growing time, that is, ferns under lights
were ready for transplanting at the same time as others
planted four months earlier with no time spent under
artificial lights.
16 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
KInDs oF FERNS GROWN
Never at one time, even with 85 dishes, is there room
for all the kinds of ferns that I would like to grow. In
some dishes there are spores from England and Europe,
and others come from New Zealand ; these are to be tested
for hardiness if they reach maturity. In others are some
from California and from the tropics, known to be un-
able to survive here without a greenhouse. And always
in some dishes are hardy eastern ferns, more of which
are wanted for the outdoor plantings at Fernwood.
With considerable satisfaction I can look at my dish
of promising prothallia and two rows of small-sized As-
plenium pinnatifidum and remember the time a few years
ago that I paid $2.50 for one small specimen just ‘‘so I
could see it,’’ and later lose it too!
Last fall a friend sent a frond of the rare Hart’s-
tongue from a recently discovered station in Upper Mich-
igan. Her husband had seen it while hunting and had
wondered what it was. That it was picked was too bad,
but that it was loaded with spores was wonderful. Right.
now, there is a whole crowded row of Hart’s-tongue
fronds about 2” tall,
There is a little patch of a dwarf Adiantum pedatum
found in the Olympic Mountains, in Washington, and
not yet scientifically described, I believe. Spores from
purchased plants produced prothallia and then plants
which retained the dwarf size and proved to be hardy
through our Michigan winters,
Just two plants of a crested Maidenhair spleenwort
(Asplenium Trichomanes) developed from a sowing
made from a bit of a frond sent me by Mr. Rugg along
with many other kinds from England. But now there
are several fronds heavy with sporangia, which will as-
sure future plantings. And I might go on mentioning
others as rare or as long-wanted.
Quite by accident, a rare back-cross hybrid of an As-
AN AMATEUR PLANTS FERN Spores pee
plenium appeared in one of the rows and was discovered
by Dr. Wagner; it is soon to be described in the Journal.
This gave rise to the hope of developing other hybrids.
About 20 dishes have been planted with two species each
in the hope of creating Asplenium, Dryopteris, or other
hybrids that have rarely or never been found wild.
ULTIMATE DISPOSITION
It is not always easy to introduce these ‘‘greenhouse”’
ferns to the big world of the out-of-doors. This is usually
done by carefully choosing the time (weather-wise), and
planting them (in rows, again) in nursery beds or cold-
frames, where they stay for the first winter. Here at-
tention can easily be given to providing lath and cheese-
cloth shade and to frequent watering at first and to win-
ter-covering later. If they survive this ordeal, limestone
rock-ferns can go into the steps and wall, and crested
and frilled English ferns and others not native to the
eastern woods can be added to those already planted by
the steps. Wood ferns are added to the many already
along our paths or stream edges.
There is another place at Fernwood to be wrested from
nature’s weeds and briars, where there will be room for
an almost unlimited number of rock ferns (still my fa-
vorites) and others. When it materializes, there will be
no ferns planted here except those raised from spores in
the little back porch. It is going to be great fun to see
how many there will be there, say in five years’ time.
Spore EXCHANGE
As mentioned above, the Spore Exchange of the Ameri-
can Fern Society was established only a few years ago,
but in this short interval of time a creditable list of avail-
able kinds has been built-up. Officers and members of
the Fern Society have been generous with time and effort
to make contributions. Many friends not even members
of the Society or knowing one fern from another have
18 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
sent fronds ‘‘with brown dots’’ from near and far vaca-
tion trips. However, in order to keep a supply of fresh
Spores of a number of species on hand this must be re-
peated year after year. We ask the continued coopera-
tion of all in sending spores or fertile fronds to our Ex-
change, and also urge more members to request spores in
order to grow them and thus to get some of the same
pleasure that I have from cooperating with nature in her
mysterious and magic plans as shown by the life-cycle of
growing ferns.
FrrNwoop, Route 3, Niues, MIcHigan.
Observations on Cultivated Ferns. V. The
Species and Forms of Nephrolepis
C. V. Morton
Perhaps the commonest of all ferns on our porches and
in our living rooms are the Sword-ferns or Boston Ferns,
which belong botanically in the genus V ephrolepis. The
wild plants of this genus occur naturally on the forest
floors and as epiphytes on the trees in tropical forests,
both in the Old World and the New. Like most tropical
ferns they do not take kindly to cultivation in modern
which is discussed below. Naturally, even the Boston
Fern makes better specimen plants when grown in green-
houses or out-of-doors in moist, mild climates.
Key To THE SPECIES
Indusia round, or nearly so, with a narrow or closed sinus at the
base, the sporangia spreading out beneath in all directions.
CULTIVATED NEPHROLEPIS 19
Blades attenuate to the base, the lower pinnae less than half as
ong as the middle, and rounded at apex rather than acute;
largest pinnae rarely more than 5 em. lon
N. rivularis
Blades -_ slightly or not at all narrowed to the td the low
pinnae only a little shorter than one middle, and ssi or
lo
lower surfaces of the pinnae; pinnae always auriculate
upper base, usually rounded at lower base
N. hirsutula
Rhachis and pinnae sparsely scaly or glabr rate; pinnae mostly
not auriculate, or if slightly auriculate at upper base
then auriculate at lower base also .............. 3. N. biserrata
pats mostly reniform, with an open sinus at base, the spor-
angia mostly coming out facing the margins.
Fertile pinnae lobed, the sori borne on the lobes
4, N. acuminata
Fertile pinnae ie tothed, or variously divided, if lobed, the
sori not borne on the lobes.
Plants Seehisind small, scaly tubers on the stolons.
Pinnae oblong to linear . 5. N. cordifolia
Pinnae orbicular, often paired, always sterile. Blades often
. cordifolia ev. ‘Duffii’
forking
Plants without tubers.
Pinnae 2, mostly 1-1.5 em. long, decidedly See RNS
at base, the superior base broad, auriculat
base narrow and cuneate; blades always once- depen
. N. pectinata
Pinnae much larger, 3.5-8 em. long or more, subequal at
ase, the lower base rounded, not cuneate; blades 1-5-
pinnate, often highly irregular .................. 7. N. exaltata
1. NEPHROLEPIS RIVULARIS (Vahl) Mettenius. Vahl’s
Sword-fern.
This tropical American species is little known in culti-
vation; in fact, the only specimen that I have seen is
from the New York Botanical Garden. It is similar to
N. exaltata and probably has no advantage over that
species as an ornamental plant. I know no cultivated
variants.
20 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
2. NEPHROLEPIS HIRSUTULA (Forster) Presl. Rough
Sword-fern.
In Standardized Plant Names, this species is called
““Seurfy Sword-fern,’’ which is also appropriate, al-
though perhaps less likely to gain popular acceptance.
The names are suggested by the abundance of brown
scales on the axes and lower surfaces of the blades, these
scales being much more abundant than in other species
of Nephrolepis.
Strangely enough, although this species is not at all
uncommon in cultivation, it is not mentioned at all in
Bailey’s Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, in Bail-
ery’s Manual of Cultivated Plants, or in Hortus II. Some
of its varieties have been grouped erroneously among
the varieties of the Boston Fern. It has passed in eulti-
vation under various names, among them N. floccigera
(Blume) Moore (a dubious species from Java and the
Celebes Islands), N. Zollingeriana de Vriese, and various
horticultural names, among them N. Mayi,’ N. Westonii,
and N. superba. The commonest variant, with close-set
overlapping pinnatifid pinnae, is cy. ‘Superba’ (which
has often been called forma monstruosa). The variant
with forked pinnae is ev. ‘Weston.’
3. NEPHROLEPIS BISERRATA (Swartz) Schott. Broad
Sword-fern.
The common name ‘Broad sword-fern’’ has perhaps
not beeen used before, but it seems appropriate, for
this is the largest Species and the one with the broadest
blades, which are normally six inches broad or more, and
may reach as much as a foot in width in wild plants al-
characterized by a conspicuous covering of white scales. The plant
was no good as a house plant.
CULTIVATED NEPHROLEPIS 21
though probably not often in cultivated ones. The name
‘‘Purplestalk sword-fern’’ proposed by Dr. Benedict in
“Standardized Plant Names’’ is not appropriate, for
the stalks are by no means purple, being mostly a rather
dull brownish color and sometimes essentially stramin-
eous.
This is perhaps one of the most widely distributed of
all ferns, as it is usually interpreted. The original col-
lection was from the island of Mauritius, in the Indian
Ocean, but plants have been found throughout much of
Attion, Asia, and tropical America. Although forming
an obviously related group of plants, they are by no
means uniform in general appearance or in minute char-
acters, and it is likely that a monographie study would
Show that several species could be segregated. The
plants from Florida and the West Indies in particular
seem to diverge from the Mauritius type.
The only variation of N. biserrata known in cultiva-
tion s the Fishtail Sword-fern, which is called ey. ‘Fur-
cans,’ in which the tips of the pinnae are forked, and
often tines the two branches of the two forks are again
forked. This is a desirable plant in cultivation. There
appear to be two forms, a fertile one and one that ap-
pears to be always sterile; they have perhaps had a dif-
ferent origin. The Suet form often goes under the er-
roneous name N. davallioides ev. ‘Furecans.’
Formerly, this species was known as Nephrolepis
acuta, and it may still be found so listed in the cata-
logues of some nurseries.
4. NEPHROLEPIS ACUMINATA (Houttuyn) Kuhn. Java
Sword-fern.
I have never had the pleasure of seeing this species
growing, but it must make a beautiful display. In na-
ture, it is an epiphyte growing on tree- trunks, with
drooping fronds six or even eight feet long. Fertile
specimens are easily identified by the position of the
22 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
sori—borne actually out on conspicuous lobes of the pin-
nae. Sterile specimens can be told by the blackish scales
that are conspicuous along the rhachis; the rhachis-scales
in other species are brown or pale.
In cultivation, this species has often passed under the
Synonymous name N. davallioides. Specimens with
forked pinnae identified as this species have all turned
out to be forms of N. biserrata rather than N. acuminata,
going by the character of the scales mentioned above.
5. NEPHROLEPIS CORDIFOLIA (L.) Presl. Erect Sword-
ern.
The common name proposed above is suggested by the
erect habit of this plant, the fronds of which stand up
like soldiers at attention, in contrast with the gracefully
arching and spreading fronds of the Boston fern. The
name “‘Tuber Sword-fern,”’ suggested in Standardized
Plant Names, is appropriate also, because this is the only
species that bears “‘tubers,’’ small potato-like growths
that appear on the stolons some distance from the crown,
and which serve as water-storing organs.”
The tubers are eaten to some extent in tropical Amer-
ica, or so I was told in Honduras, but the supply must
be extremely limited. Because of the known poisonous
qualities of many ferns, I should hesitate to reeommend
that anyone try them for lunch.
In the Los Angeles, California, area the Erect sword-
fern is common in gardens, mostly in its typical form,
but it can not be expected to thrive out-of-doors in most
of the United States.
The most distinctive variant is ev. ‘Duffii,’ so different
that one would hesitate to associate it with cordifolia at
all, except that it produces the characteristic tubers.
The pinnae are small, rounded at apex, and often prac-
GB Dr, Benedict tells me that the form grown as ‘Philippinensis’
1s indistinguishable from cordifolia except that it apparently does
not produce tubers. :
CULTIVATED NEPHROLEPIS 23
tically circular in outline; they are rarely more than a
half-inch long. The fronds are almost always forking at
apex, and are always sterile. It is a desirable plant for
cultivation. It is common in tropical gardens through-
out the world, and may sometimes have escaped from eul-
tivation ; at least, some herbarium specimens are labelled
as though they had been collected in the wild.
This species has been known under the synonymous
names Nephrolepis tuberosa and N. cordata, the latter
probably just a misspelling.
A desirable, but probably rare, form is ev. ‘Tessellata’
with the pinnae pinnately divided above the middle, a
synonym of which is probably ev. ‘Plumosa,’*
6. NEPHROLEPIS PECTINATA (Willdenow) Schott. Bas-
ket-fern.
The name ‘‘Basket-fern’’ appears in Hortus II. It
does not appear to me to be particularly appropriate,
for this species is not as good for growing in baskets as
the Boston Fern or some other species, such as N. biser-
rata, that grow naturally as epiphytes. Nephrolepis
pectinata is naturally a terrestrial plant, and is the
stiffest species of all. It was formerly thought to be only
a variety of N. cordifolia, but it is definitely different.
The most obvious character is found in the bases of the
pinnae, which are acute at the lower side in pectinata
and rounded or cordate in N. cordifolia. There are no
tubers produced in N. pectinata.
This species, because of its rarity in cultivation, has
not given rise to any cultivars.
8 According to a letter from Dr. Benedict, ev. ‘Tessellata’ was
introduced by the H. B. May Company, Edmonton, England. e
Says that it seems to retain always its bipinnate division, unlike
B
was common with dealers in years past, but was too slow rowing
to compete with the Boston Fern. It has spreading leaves, rather
than stiffly erect ones like the type. The name ‘Plumosa’ was
given by W. A. Manda.
24 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
7. NEPHROLEPIS ExALTATA (L.) Schott. Common Sword-
ern.
The Common sword-fern is ascribed a world-wide dis-
tribution by most authorities although its actual range
is perhaps more restricted. In cultivation, it is not com-
mon, being almost or entirely replaced by the following:
7a. NEPHROLEPIS EXALTATA var. BOSTONIENSIS Hort. Bos-
ton fern.
The origin of this, the commonest of all house ferns, is
unknown. Its early history is discussed by Dr. R. C
Benedict.’ Around 1896, it suddenly appeared among
nurserymen’s stock in Boston and Cambridge, where it
was first identified as NV. davallioides (i.e. NV. acuminata),
but was shortly thereafter referred to N. exaltata as a
variety, where it has remained since. It is very like wild
exaltata, except that it is not so stiff but laxer and more
graceful and with somewhat broader fronds, but it be-
haves differently—it is sterile® and it is highly variable;
natural populations of N. exaltata are uniform, at least
locally, and are normally fertile from spores. The be-
havior of the Boston Fern Suggests that it is possibly a
hybrid, a sterile triploid, between exaltata and a second
unknown parent. Still, hybridity alone would not quite
explain the peculiar variations (sports) that have arisen
from the Boston Fern. So far as I know, the cytology
has not been carefully studied; it is a promising field for
work, one not without difficulty however. Cytological
studies in the ferns are mostly made with the spore-
BRR iin SBN Saal
* The Origin of New Varieties of Nephrolepis by Orthogenetic
Saltation, I. Progressive Variations, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 43:
207-234. 1916,
* Dy. Benedict deseribed a “var. fertilis” of the Boston Fern, the
origin of which was unknown and also the cytology. It did pro-
duce many viable spores, but it was not a reversion to the wild form,
because its progeny were highly variable, being variously cut, ruf-
er i
ther investigation. Apparently, this fertile form was never in
commercial cultivation ; it may no longer exist or it may still be
grown in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
CULTIVATED NEPHROLEPIS 25
mother cells, but most Boston Ferns are completely
sterile and consequently some method for study of the
somatic chromosomes would have to be devised. The
small size and large numbers of the fern chromosomes
render them difficult to study for technical reasons.
Over a hundred named cultivars of the Boston Fern
have appeared within the last fifty years, most of them
between the years 1900 and 1920. Interest in developing
new kinds has waned in recent years, and but few of the
older sorts are still widely grown. The typical Boston
Fern is still the commonest, because it is the one that
does best under conditions in the ordinary house or apart-
ment; it will stand a good deal of abuse and neglect. The
delicate, finely divided forms are more strictly green-
house plants.
The principal authority on the Boston Fern and its
variations is Dr, R. C. Benedict, who published a num-
ber of papers describing the variations, including the
only systematic account that has been published (in
Bailey’s Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture). These
cultivars combine variation in several respects—division
(from simply pinnate through pinnatifid, to bipinnate
and on to 5-pinnate, sometimes with several kinds of di-
vision on one plant or even one frond), ruffling of the
pinnae, forking of the blades and pinnae (sometimes
Several times), dwarfing (including diminution of the
rhachis, with consequent imbrication of the pinnae),
and others. Perhaps the most striking end-product is
the form that has been called ev. *Trevillian,’ in which
the division of the blade is so extreme, the shortening of
the rhachis so pronounced, and the ruffling so accentuated
that a single leaf appears to be just a green ball. Al-
though this extreme form is not ornamental, it is still in
cultivation. It developed a further peculiarity, unknown
elsewhere in the genus Nephrolepis, of becoming proli-
ferous, that is, of bearing vegetative buds on the rha-
chises, which serve to produce new plants. Strangely
26 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
enough, the plants arising from these buds (or gemmae)
are not like the parent at all, but are simply pinnate and
not ruffled, and represent a reversion to a more or less
typical form of bostoniensis. Such reversions of the cut-
leaved variants are not infrequent, and several types
were described by Dr. Benedict. Some reversions are
temporary and apparently seasonal, and others are per-
manent.®
Boston Ferns produce runners (stolons) from the
bases of the leaves, which take root and form new plants.
This is the standard method of propagation. After the
new plants take root they are cut off from the runner
and potted. A single Boston Fern can thus produce hun-
dreds of progeny, most of which are quite like the parent
plants, but occasionally one will be decidedly different,
representing a mutation and a new cultivar, most of
which are not improvements and which are discarded by
growers.
A Kry nud Lies PRINCIPAL CULTIVARS OFFERED
PRESENT?
Blades simply pinnate, or at most with irregular lobes or forking
pinnae.
Leaves of well-grown plants three feet long or more.
r. Benedict fe eit ong 0 following note: Boston Fern vari-
heir m
ns, e.g., the
‘Scottii,’ the ruffling o rs. T. Roos evelty | the ‘‘plumy’’
characteristics of ‘Elegantissima- -compact and ‘ Norwoodii.’
Also, the most typical features of some pated may be obscured in
. . c he
divided forms (but not the s raight dwarfed or ru types) to
sapien reverted leaves, ranging from more or less eeaie divided
= Mak kh wi ner may be thus produced a mongrel sort
plant that is incapable of n t h
cl eh Peal p giving rise to specimens of the typi-
7 Contributed by D . R. C. Benedict. Additional cultivars that
are currently offered a dealers are fe a ‘Colorado,’ ‘Spring-
field,’ and ‘Hana’ (an error for ‘Nan fa
CULTIVATED NEPHROLEPIS 27
Pinnae not lobed, Sep Hldnel access. var. bostoniensis
Pinnae lobed or forked.
Pinnae ruffled: aie some lobing ......... ev. ‘Mrs. T. Roosevelt’
Pinnae forking at tips ev. ‘Gretnae’
Leaves less than three feet long.
innae 5m OP NEATLY: BUS aacii.cniane coe ev. ‘Dwarf Boston’
Pinnae ed ev. ‘Teddy Jr.’
Pinnae haiti: the upper surface conveX ............ ev. ‘Seottii’
Blades two or more times pinnate, at least on most leaves.
Leaves over three feet long, essentially bipinnate.
Leaf tips and pinnae not forking 00... en ev. ‘Piersonii’
Leaf tips and pinnae forking ey. ‘Splendida’
Leaves less than three feet long.
Leaves vasgeareel bipinnate-pinnatifid when well page aay
L s and pinnae forking Wicheri
Leaf os and pinnae not forking.
Leaves 12-18 inches long.
Leaves mostly less than 15 ~s long.
. ‘Elegantissima-compacta’s
ev. ‘Nor
Leaves somewhat taller, fu ler oetinien woodii’
Leaves less than 12 inches long; rhachis thartened. with
CONGESTEA PIUMMAC 6nee.censcsecssersceneeoren ev. ‘Fluffy Ruffles’?
Leaves eos or A RH with small segments.
Leaves neo
up rs os inches long; pinnate and paper often
‘Whi
tmanii’
crowded
Leaves less than 18 inches long; ree and eit. pe ents
Verona’
ually open
Leaves ‘pind opatae usually less than 12 cits long.
ey. ‘Smithii’l?
U.S. Narionat Museum, WasHineTon, D. C.
ae in ee wee as ev. ‘Compacta,’ she is Rice
the best n ‘Elegantissima-com is well
formed; De Be bedikt ‘forms me that this Tina | is aot a pont
tive of ev. ‘Elegantis
® Close to the olaar a ev, ‘Muscosa’ but apparently not the same.
“10 Sometimes known in the trade as “Lace-fern.”
28 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Diplazium japonicum Naturalized in Florida
C. V. Morton anv R. K. Goprrey
In January, 1957, the junior author, in company with
Mr. Paul L. Redfearn, Jr., visited the region of Lake
Talquin, in Gadsden County, Florida, and collected a
fern that was not recognized at the time. It was growing
abundantly in a narrow ravine in hardwood forest on a
steep slope north of the lake. Specimens were submitted
to the senior author, who identified it as Diplazium ja-
ponicum (Thunberg) Beddome, a species not previously
known naturalized in the United States, although it is
fairly well known in cultivation, especially in southern
California. Mrs. Fay MacFadden has it growing in her
fern garden in Los Angeles.
The only other Diplazium from the United States that
is at all similar is D. lonchophyllum Kunze, which is
known from a single locality in Louisiana: It is a Mex-
ican species, doubtless introduced in Louisiana, although
Dr. Maxon did not reject entirely the possibility that it
might be native. In the case of D. japonicum, there is no
doubt but that it is introduced, even though it is growing
in Florida in a distinctly rural area, isolated from any
present-day farmhouses and eight to ten miles from the
nearest town. It is distant about 200 yards across a for-
ested area from a country road. Its abundance and lux-
uriance suggest a natural propagation regardless of how
it might have come to be here in the first place.
In general appearance and cutting D. lonchophyllum
is not dissimilar to D. japonicum, but it differs in numer-
ous particulars. It can be distinguished immediately by
its stalked rather than sessile lower pinnae, and by the
smooth rather than scaly stipes and rhachises. The only
other true Diplazium known from the United States is
f. Maxon, William R. Diplazium lonchophyllum in Louisiana.
This JOURNAL 34: 21-24. 1944, m tonchophylium in Louisiana
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 48, PLATE 4
DIPLAZIUM JAPONICUM. ADAPTED FROM M. OGaTA, IconEs FILICUM
JAPONIAE, VOLUME 3, PLATE 115, 193
30 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
D. esculentum, also an introduction,? which is utterly
different; it is distinguished fundamentally by its anas-
tomosing veins and its bipinnate division.
Of native species, D. japonicum most nearly resembles
the Silvery Spleenwort, Athyrium thelypterioides, al-
though the similarity is not close. The Silvery Spleen-
wort has many more pairs of pinnae, is much more deli-
cate in general, and has smooth, rather than scaly rha-
chises. The pinnae are deeply pinnatifid nearly to the
costa, whereas those of D. japonicum are less deeply
obed.
E. B. Copeland, and some other modern fern students,
have followed Milde in uniting the genera Diplazium
and Athyrium under the latter name. Although it ap-
pears that there are no fundamental morphological dif-
ferences between the two, most species can be readily
placed in one or the other, and it seems advisable to re-
tain the traditional division until a monographie study
has been made. It seems as though true Athyrium has a
different basic chromosome number (n = 40) from Di-
plazium (n= 41), but not enough species have been in-
vestigated from this point of view. Dr. Manton has in-
dicated that D. japonicum has the number n = 82 (a
tetraploid number). Athyrium thelypterioides is one of
the species that is intermediate between Athyrium and
Diplazium ; apparently, a chromosome count has not been
made.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AND FLorma State UNI-
VERSITY.
* Cf. Diddell, Mary W. Diplazium esculentum in Florida. This
JOURNAL 38: 16-19. 1948.
New ComBINATIONS ol
Validation of Some New Combinations
Mme. Tarpieu-Bior
Article 32 of the International Code of Botanical
Nomenclature (1956 edition) specifies that ‘‘A new
transfer or combination published on or after 1 Jan.
1953 is not validly published unless the basionym (name-
bringing or epithet-bringing Synonym) is eclearly indi-
cated with a full reference to its author and original
publication.’’ Since 1953 I have proposed several new
combinations without having properly cited the basi-
onyms, in accordance with the above Rule. The present
paper citing the basionyms will serve to validate these
combinations.
SPLENIUM AFFINE Swartz var. Gilpinae (Baker) soe comb.
nov. (Tardieu, in Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, 19.
1955; op. cit. 7: 48. 1956, sine basion.)
pr Gilpinae Baker, Journ. Linn. Soe. [London] 16: 200.
1877.
ASPLENIUM HERPETOPTERIS Baker var. acutipinnatum (Bonap.)
oe » comb nov, (Tardieu, in Mém. Inst. Sei. Madagascar, Sér. B,
4! 1956, sine basion.)
enium ribs pagar Bonap., Not. Pterid 4: 69. 1917
fae. acutipinnata)
ASPLENIUM HERPETOPTERIS Baker var. masoulae (Bonap.) Tard.,
comb. nov. (Tardieu, op. cit. 50, sine basion
Asplenium masoulae Bonap., Not. Pterid. 10: 182. 1920.
ASPLENIUM PELLUCIDUM Lamarck var. Sis (Bory) Tard.,
comb. nov. (Tardieu, loc. cit., sine basion.)
Asplenium dareifolium Bory ex wind. Sp. Plant. 5: 335. 1810.
ASPLENIUM VIVIPARUM (L.f.) Presl var. saps sce (Lamarck )
Tard., comb. nov. (Tardi leu, op. cit. 47, sine basion.)
Asplenium daucifolium Lamarck, Enecyel. Meth. ¢ 310. 1786.
ASPLENIUM VIVIPARUM (L.f.) Presl var. inaequale (Willd.) Tard.,
comb. nov. (Tardieu, loc. cit. 48, sine basion.)
Darea inaequalis Willd. , Sp. Plant. 5: 298. 1810.
ASPLENIUM VIVIPARUM (L.f.) Presl var. lineatum (Swartz) Tard.,
comb. nov. (Tardieu, op. cit. 47, sine basion.)
Asplenium lineatum Swartz, Journ, Bot. Schrader 18002: 51.
)
32 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
CorNopTEeRIS Boryana (Willd.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, op.
cit. 30, sine basion.
Aspidium Boryanum Willd. Sp. Plant. 5: 285. 1810.
CorNopTeRIS Forsythii-majoris (C. Chr.) Tard., comb. nov.
(Tardieu, loc. cit., sine basion.)
Dryopteris ay a spent C. Chr. Dansk. Bot. Ark. [Pterid.
Madagascar] 7: 63. pl. 16, figs. 1-3. 1932.
CORNOPTERIS paticchs (Beddome) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loc. cit., sine basion.)
Asplenium Macdonellii Beddome, Journ. Bot. Brit. & For. 27:
73. 1889,
CORNOPTERIS oosora (Baker) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, loc. cit.,
sine basion.)
ephrodiwm oosorum Baker, Kew Bull. 1896: 41. 1896.
CORNOPTERIS parvisora (C. Chr.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loc. cit., sine basion.)
Dryopteris parvisora C. Chr., Ark. fér Bot. 14, pte Ido. pled,
fig. 5. 1916.
CorNopreris pterorachis (Christ) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loc. cit., sine basion
Athyriy um pietehichts Christ, Bull. Herb. Boiss. 4: 668. 1896.
CoRNOPTERIS sulcinervia (Hieron.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loc. cit., sine basion.
Aapiium suleinervium Hieron. in Engl. Pflanzenw. Ost. Afr. C:
1895.
obulieieailg tenuisecta (Blume) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
op. cit. 32, sine basion.
Aspidium tenuisectum Blume, Enum, Pl. Jav. 170. 1828.
CORNOPTERIS Viridifrons (Makino) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
op. cit. 30, sine basion.
Athyrium viridifrons Makino, Bot. Mag. Tokyo 13: 15. 1899.
CTENITIS arthrothrix (Hooker) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, Notul.
Syst. 15: 89. 1954, sine basion. )
Polypodium. arthrothriz Hooker, Sp. Fil. 5: 14. 1864,
ae Boivinii (Baker) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, op. cit. 6:
1955, sine basion.)
paca Boivinii Baker, in Hook. & Bak. Syn. Fil. ed. 2:
501. 1874.
rane Warburii (C. Chr.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, Notul.
Syst. 15: 89. 1954, sine basion.)
NEw COMBINATIONS 33
Dryopteris Warburii C. Chr. Dansk. Bot. Ark. 7: 58. pl. 14.
932.
CycLosorus silvaticus (Pappe & Raws.) Tard., comb. nov.
(Tardieu, Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, 6: 220. 1955,
sine basion.)
Goniopteris silvatica Pappe & Raws. Syn. Fil. Afr. Aust. 39.
1858. :
CYCLOSORUS SUBPENNIGERUS (C. Chr.) teabied comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loc. cit., sine basion. et cum. auct. ‘*Bak.’
Dipentevte subpennigera ©. Chr. Dansk. Bot. Ark. 7: 52, pl. 12,
figs. 1, 2. 1932.
DAVALLIA CHAEROPHYLLOIDES (Poir.) Steud. var. mauritiana
(Hooker) Tard., comb. nov. vole i Notul. Syst. 15: 178. 1956,
sine cit. et cwm. auct. ‘*C. Chr.
Davallia tuairendi Hooker, Sp. Fil. 1: 164. pl. 55B. 1845.
HETEROGONIUM cyatheifolium (Desv.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
Notul. Syst. 15: 89. 1954, sine basion.)
oe odontolabia (Baker) ant comb. nov. foun’
Mém. Inst. Sci. Madaga ascar, Sér. B, 7 1956, sine basion
Davallia peauttives Baker, Journ. a Brit. & For. 22: “140.
1884,
POLYStTICHoPsts bella (C. Chr.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, Notul.
Syst. 15: 270. 1956, sine basion.)
Dryopteris bella C. Chr, in Bonap, Not. Pterid. 16: 164. pl. 8.
1925.
PSEUDOTECTARIA crinigera a (C. Chr.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
Notul. Syst. 15: 86. 1954, sine basion.)
Aspidium crinigerum ©, Chr. in Bonap. Not. Pterid. 16: 34.
25.
PSEUDOTECTARIA si gry (C. Chr.) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loc. cit., sine basi mn.)
Tectaria Decry Chr. Dansk. Bot. Ark. 7: 66. pl. 19. 1932.
SAMBIRANIA Decaryana (C. Chr.) Sieg pees nov. (Tardieu,
Mém. Inst. Sci, alntcgaisat Sér. B, 7: 36. 1956, sine basion.)
Schizoloma Decaryanum ©. Chr. siting a. Ark. 12:79... pl 23,
figs. 1, 2, 1932.
SAMBIRANIA ‘Plicata (Baker) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu, op. cit.
34, sine basion.)
34 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Lindsaea plicata Baker, Journ. Linn, Soe. [London] 25: 350.
1889.
ScuizoLoma Chienii (Ching) igh = comb. nov, aye Mém.
nst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér. B, 7: 1956, sine basion.)
Lindsaea Chienii Ching, ilanads 1: 4.
SCHIZOLEGNIA leptophylla (Baker) Tard., comb. nov
Lindsaea leptophylla Baker, Journ, Bot. Brit. & Por. 22: 141.
1884,
ee leptophyllum Tard. Mém. Inst. Sci. Madagascar,
Sér. B, 7: 37. 1956, non rite edit., i.e. sine basio
rer oxyphylla (Baker) Tard., comb. nov.
Lindsaea oxyphylla Baker, Journ, Bot. Brit. & For. 29: 3. 1891.
seme tr oa beara Tard. Mem. Inst. Sci. Madagascar, Sér.
i 1956, non rite edit.,
gia on jeer ab eran pen S segregation of
the new genus Schizolegnia
ane sieicieiaks lite Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
m. Inst. Sei. Madagascar, Sér. B, 7: 37. 1956, sine basion.)
| deeds campylophylla Fourn. Fl Sci. Nat. [Paris] 18: 335.
1873.
SPHENOMERIS emirnensis (Hooker) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
op. cit, 36, sine basion.)
Davallia emirnensis Hooker, Sp. Fil. 1: 189. 1845,
SPHENOMERIS Goudotiana (Kunze) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu,
loe. cit., sine basion.)
Thseaties Goudotiana Kunze, Analect. 35. t. 22, f. 2. 1837.
SPHENOMERIS madagascariensis (Baker) Tard., comb. nov. (Tard-
ieu, loc. cit., sine basion.)
Lindsaea "adagsias Baker, Journ. Linn. Soe. [London]
46:\198. 1877,
SPHENOMERIS microphylla (Swartz) Tard., comb. nov. (Tardieu
op. cit. 37, sine basion.)
Lindsaea microphylla Swartz, Journ, Bot. Schrader 18002: 79.
1801.
?
Museum NatIonaLe p’HISTOIRE NATURELLE, 57 RUE
Cuvirr, Paris, FRANCE.
MICRONESIAN PTERIDOPHYTA 35
Notes on Micronesian Pteridophyta, II.
F. R. Fosspere
This series started in 1950' is continued in the present
paper with observations on the genus Ceratopteris
Brongn. (Parkeriaceae), of which two species have been
found in Micronesia, one of them generally regarded as a
local endemic in Guam.
CERATOPTERIS THALICTROIDES (L.) Brongn. Bull Soe.
Philom. Paris (1821): 186. 1821.
This widely distributed species, usually found growing
rooted in the muddy bottoms of rice and taro pits, has
been known from Micronesia since Volkens reported it
from Yap in 1901. Both Kanehira and Hosokawa added
reports from Palau in 1935, with Hosokawa mentioning
also Guam, probably basing this record on Safford’s re-
port in 1905. Hosokawa’s specimen, no. 6858 (Fo), from
Palau represents a very slender plant, with fertile fronds
only, but is in all probability correctly referred to this
species. Guam specimens from either Safford or Hoso-
kawa have not been seen, but probably belong with the
plants discussed as C. gaudichaudii below. To the ree-
ords of true C. thalictroides may be added Fosberg &
Wong 25488 (US, BISH, Fo)? and Lessa 97 (BISH),
both from Mogmog Islet, Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands.
This is a large robust plant, with fronds up to 45 em. tall,
which was growing in the water of a taro pit. The ver-
nacular name recorded by Lessa is ‘*walbwong.
CERATOPTERIS GAUDICHAUDI Brongn. Bull. Soc. Philom.
Paris (1821): 187. 1821.
1 Fosberg, F. R. Notes on Micronesian Pteridophyta. Amer.
Fern Journ, 40: 132-147, 1950.
* Herbarium abbreviations: US: United States National Her-
barium; BISH: Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu; Fo: Still in
author’s hands.
36 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
This species was first collected in 1819 by Gaudichaud
who wrote (translated) about it as follows :°
“It is at the edge of these humid gardens [irrigated
rice, Sugar-cane, and taro fields] and in the bottom of in-
undated plains that grows spontaneously Ceratopteris
gaudichaudti, Ad. Brong. (oumoug-soussounian), an an-
nual fern, tender, usefully employed as asalad...’’? And
on p. 394: ‘This fern, which we believe to be annual, like
its relatives, bears in Guam the name oumoug (hou-
moug) soussouniann (souzouniann) ; it grows abundantly
in the marshy grounds where the river of Agana has its
springs. A field of black soil, compact, recently plowed,
was then [May 1819] almost entirely covered with young
Specimens, still without fructifications, the state in which
people search for this plant to eat it as a salad.
‘Its leaves are fasciculate, of a tender meadow-green,
very delicately herbaceous in texture, bipinnatifid, with
linear lobes, in the axils of which can be seen small pale-
yellow, bulbiform, glandular bodies, the flattened peti-
oles bearing a few leafy, membranaceous, concave, cellu-
lar, diaphanous scales,
“Tn this plant, the veins or vascular bundles are eapil-
lary, 3 or 4 in number; they divide at the summit of the
petioles and in the leaflets become reticulate after suc-
cessive dichotomies. The branches of the frond give rise
to ribbon-like Segments or buds. The cellular tissue has
a very large mesh.’’
From Gaudichaud’s manuscript notebook, p. 159:
‘83. Oumoug soussounian. This singular fern with
leaves 3 times pinnatifid offers as characteristic its fertile
leaves with a rolled edge, joined beneath, bearing a brown
membrane containing globular fructifications which di-
vide into an infinity of other globules equally round.
Pteris? Base of pinnules of different order bearing
* Bot. Voyage Uranie 74, 1826.
MIcRONESIAN PTERIDOPHYTA 37
plant, brittle, meadow-green. In all the humid fields that
surround the springs of the river of Agafia.’’*
Safford® gives the native name as ‘‘umug sensonyan’”’
and probably knew the plant, but no collection of his has
been seen. It was collected near the mouth of the Talofofo
River in 1946 by Grether and again in 1954 by Fosberg.
Gaudichaud collected fairly abundant material [his
no. 83] of which four sheets have been examined, two in
Paris, one in Geneva, and one in Florence. The plant
represented by these is clearly a rooted plant, small and
delicate, the longest fertile frond being 18 em. long.
There is a complete transition from sterile fronds that are
ovate with broad oblong somewhat dentate segments,
through sterile fronds with much narrower, broadly lin-
ear segments, to narrowly triangular fertile ones with
narrowly linear-acuminate segments. The longest frond
is a fertile one 18 em. long and 7 em. wide, with a stipe
6 em. long, and alternate pinnae, 4 on aside. The sterile
fronds are smaller, up to 10 em. long and half as wide,
with 5 or 6 subopposite pinnae on a side, and stipes 2 to 3
em. long. The type collection shows at most tripinnatifid
fronds. The Fosberg collection (35454 US, BISH, Fo),
also rooted, is similar to the type, but shows some signs of
a proliferation of small plants on the sterile fronds. The
cutting of the fronds of these rooted collections is not es-
sentially dissimilar to that of C. thalictroides, though
more delicate than most material of that species. The
Grether collection (4326 US) is of floating plants, with
fronds (up to 25 em. long) conspicuously finely dissected
(4-6 times divided), the segments being narrow and al-
most perpendicular to the rachises. This pattern is ap-
proached only by one collection of C. thalictroides exam-
38 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
ined, Priest in 1930 (US), from Hawaii.
Taro pits are few in Guam these days, as are rice fields.
Wherever an opportunity was presented these were
searched for Ceratopteris in 1950 and 1953-54, but with
no success. The Grether collection was found floating in
the estuary of the Talofofo River, several hundred meters
above the mouth where the plants were said to be common.
No plants were evident floating in this river in 1950 or
1953-54, though the river was examined for quite a dis-
tance. The plants of the Fosberg collection were found
on the south bank of the Talofofo River about 300 meters
above the mouth, growing sparsely on a small mud flat at
the water’s edge. The presence of a few plantlets on the
fronds suggested that plants growing along muddy banks
may be the source of the floating populations such as that
collected by Grether. These must be swept out to sea dur-
ing heavy rains such as those in December 1953, which
cause a great rise in the river. The ecology of this species
merits more careful study, preferably by those in a posi-
tion to make repeated observations.
The existence of an endemic species of this genus on
Guam must inevitably raise questions. It is apparently
the only species in the genus with such a local distribu-
tion. This was considered so unlikely that Safford, fol-
lowed by Merrill and Bryan, considered it identical with
C. thalictroides. Christensen, in the Index Filicum, re-
duced all species of this genus, including C. gaudichaudii,
to C. thalictroides. Wagner regarded it as distinct.
There is no doubt that it is usually a smaller more delicate
plant, with a slightly different range in cutting of the
fronds. The sporangia are similar to those of C. thalic-
troides with many very narrow transversely elongate an-
nular cells. The spores are similar, and have the same
curious rugosity resembling the human epidermal ridges
that make fingerprints. The differences are not impres-
Sive, and since the ancient Chamorros brought both rice
ASPLENIUM KENTUCKIENSE 39
and taro with them from wherever they came they
may well have brought Ceratopteris either deliberately or
accidentally. It is conceivable that only a very small pop-
ation was thus introduced, perhaps as small as one
plant. This would drastically limit the potential vari-
ability of the descendants, and if the original stock were
a dwarfed biotype this might account for the present
characteristics of the plants under discussion.
It seems rather improbable that one would describe
such a form as a species unless he found other correlated
characters. However, since studies of the genus Ceratop-
teris are under way by Dr. Charles DeVol, it seems best
to defer decision on the status of (. gaudichaudii until
publication of his work.
U.S. GeoLoaicaL Survey, WASHINGTON, D. C.
Notes on the Distribution of Asplenium
kentuckiense
W. H. Waener, Jr.
The so-called ‘Kentucky spleenwort,’’ Asplenium
kentuckiense, is one of the rarest North American ferns.
It is also one of the most interesting, because it now
seems possible that it is composed of the germplasms of
three entirely different species. On evidence from mor-
phology and anatomy, it seems likely that this fern is a
‘“‘ecompound,”’ a blend of equal parts of A. montanum,
A. platyneuron, and A. rhizophyllum... Almost all plants
of A. kentuckiense will probably be found to be sterile;
but on theoretical grounds, at least, there is a definite pos-
sibility that a fertile population may sometime arise in
nature, in which the chromosome number of the original
Sterile form (predicted to be 108) has become doubled
(1.e., 2n=216). In his original deseription of A. ken-
SS
_ ' Wagner, W. H., Reticulate Evolution in Appalachian Asplen-
lums, Evolution 8: 103-118, 1954.
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 48, PLATE 5
ASPLENIUM KENTUCKIENSE, A. B, MASSEY 2922, FROM NEAR CHAT-
HAM, PITTSYLVANIA County, VIRGINIA, May 6,
ASPLENIUM KENTUCKIENSE 41
tuckiense, T. N. McCoy? listed several places where it
had been collected, all of these in the state of Kentucky
(Keyser Creek, Boyd Co.; Buzzard Roost, Calloway Co. ;
Rowan Co.). The purpose of this paper is to give data
on the localities in states outside Kentucky.
Probably the finest and largest specimen of A. ken-
tuckiense ever found was that of Mr. Floyd Bartley from
the state of Ohio. It is in Mr. Bartley’s private herbar-
ium, but fortunately, Vannorsdall, in his recent book,
‘‘Ferns of Ohio,’’* chose it for his illustration of the spe-
cies, and published three plates (figs. 51-53) of the spec-
imen at different magnifications. The specimen was.dis-
covered in 1946, growing near the base of a large sand-
stone cliff in Hay Hollow, Jackson Township, Pike
County, Ohio. Asplenium pinnatifidum is abundant at
this locality, and there are frequent plants of A. platy-
- neuron,
In Illinois, the single known collection of A. kentuc-
kiense was made by Franklin Sumner Earle, probably
around 1880. It is represented by two detached but com-
plete and readily identifiable leaves, mounted on a her-
barium sheet with A. pinnatifidum. A tracing of one of
these leaves and the veins and sori of a pinna from this
collection are depicted in my article on Appalachian As-
pleniums.* The data that appear on the specimen are
all too typical of many plant collections made before the
turn of the century, before higher standards of labelling
became the custom. The label on the mixed sheet is woe-
fully unhelpful: It is an old-fashioned printed label of
‘Illinois Flora,’’ with the annotations ‘‘Asplenium pin-
natifidum Nutt. Locality S. Ill. Collector Earle.’’
That is all. The two leaves of this collection, incidentally,
represent probably the first find of this species anywhere.
~@ A new Asplenium from Kentucky. This JouRNAL, 26: 104-105.
1936,
3 Curtis Book Store. Wilmington, Ohio. 1956.
4 Op. cit.
42 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
The specimens are in the Chicago Natural History Mu-
seum.
For the single Arkansas discovery of A. kentuckiense,
we are indebted to Professor Dwight M. Moore, of the
University of Arkansas, who found it some five or six
miles south of the Missouri line in the northern part of
Benton County. The habitat was sandstone ledges along
Pea Ridge. Dr. Moore had gone to the locality to search
for A. pinnatifidum in 1949. He has written (letter,
October 9, 1953) that ‘‘It was while looking around at
this time that I found on one of the ledges between plants
of A. pinnatifidum and A. platyneuron a few plants that
seemed to have characters of both of the species.”’? A
representative specimen from this locality is on deposit
in the Herbarium of the University of Arkansas.
The single collection of Kentucky spleenwort known
from Virginia was reported as A. gravesii by A. B. Mas-
sey.” The confusion of this species with A. gravesii is
understandable because of their very subtle differences.
The Virginia kentuckiense was taken in May, 1939
‘2 miles west of Chatham, on a boulder in open woods
near south shore of Moses Mill Pond on Cherrystone
Creek,’’ Pittsylvania Co. It was associated with A. pin-
natifidum, and Mr. Thomas Darling, who visited the lo-
cality in 1951, reports ‘a little platyneuron in the local-
ity.’’ The specimen, which though small is complete
Conrad V. Morton for calling my attention to this col-
lection.
e ferns and fe
° Th rn allies of Virgini
Bull. $7: (no, 7): 40. 1944 of Virginia. Va. Polytechnic Inst.
ASPLENIUM KENTUCKIENSE 43
Asplenium kentuckiense is thus known from five states
—Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia. I
am probably presumptuous in advising my colleagues on
how to find new stations for this plant, since I have never
succeeded in finding it myself. However, from the facts
known at present and by analogy with other hybrids in
this group, there are several pointers that may be of
help. The first is that the best or optimum habitat for
either parent (ie., A. pinnatifidum or A. platyneuron)
is probably less likely for A. kentuckiense than a habitat
which lies between these extremes. Asplenium pinnati-
fidum is a strictly rock-inhabiting plant and it reaches
its maximum development and abundance on rock cliffs ;
A. platyneuron, on the contrary, in spite of its common
occurrence in rock crevices, tends to achieve its maxi-
mum development in soil. Where the two species are
likely to grow close together or side-by-side will usually
be the best habitat. An ideal situation, for example,
might be a series of ledges in which A. platyneuron
grows in soil at different levels, with A. pinnatifidum on
the rock faces between. I believe that disturbed situa-
tions are especially good—where major disturbances by
rock-slides, fires over the preceding decade, or a certain
amount of cattle or sheep activities have produced a
weedy and more or less barren condition. Here the
plants of A. pinnatifidum may be ‘‘skimpy’’ and even
the A. platyneuron, which commonly thrives under such
disturbed conditions, may be somewhat dwarfed. In the
field I have frequently heard such statements as ‘‘Not
much point in looking for hybrids there among the weeds
and briars. That slope is all weedy and broken up, and
there are only a few plants [of whatever the participat-
ing parents are].’’ The fact is that such a spot might be
exactly the best place to find the hybrid A. kentuckiense.
These are only suggestions, but they may be helpful to
field-workers looking for new localities.
Universiry or Micntaan, ANN Arsor, MICHIGAN.
44 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Recent Fern Literature
‘‘Plant Classification’”! is a new textbook of systematic
botany that can be highly recommended. All the families
of ferns and flowering plants are discussed and _ illus-
trated in some detail, and there are instructive sections on
the historical development and general principles of
classification and nomenclature, on technical terminol-
ogy, the use of keys and the general process of identifica-
tion, and on methods of collecting and preserving plants.
The special section on ferns and fern-allies occupies about
40 pages. Two new names are proposed as Divisions of
the Plant Kingdom—Sphenophyta to contain the horse-
tails and Lycophyta to contain the club-mosses and quill-
worts. Although the work is designed for a beginner’s
course in college botany, the average amateur will find it
readily usable-—C. V. Morton
A KEY TO Ferns In WesteRN NATIONAL ParKs.2—
Keys to the eight families, 24 genera, and 106 species
and varieties of ferns and fern-allies known to occur in
the 16 western National Parks appeared in the July,
1954, issue of the American Midland Naturalist but have
not as yet been noted in the Fern Journal.
The keys are constructed carefully, and for the most
part contain sufficient information about specific charac-
teristics to permit prompt identification of the species
involved. In a few instances the key utilizes geographic
localities instead of morphological characters to separate
species. For example, the authors separate Botrychium
matricariifolium from B. boreale with ‘‘Found in nor-
thern and central Colorado’’ in contrast with ‘‘Found in
Alaska and the northern Rocky Mountains,’’ respee-
tively. Again, the leg of the key to Cheilanthes parryi
* Plant Classification, by Lyman Benson, pp. 1-688, illus. 1957.
D.C Heath and Co., Boston, Mass. ($9. 4
PP oma 5 —— re ane Harold E. Bailey, “A Guide to the
g Plants and Ferns of the West i ks.”
Amer. Midl. Nat. 54: 1-32, 1954. eae) re
RECENT FERN LITERATURE 45
reads ‘‘Grand Canyon National Park,’’ while that to the
paired species, C. cooperae, is ‘‘Sequoia National Park.”’
No descriptions are provided. Following the keys to the
species within each genus, abbreviations indicate the
park or parks in which each species oceurs.
The recognition of species, subspecies, and varieties is
liberal, e.g., the authors accept Equisetum limosum and
E. kansanum as distinct species, whereas conservative
taxonomists often consider these two taxa either as syn-
onyms or mere varieties or forms of E. fluviatile and E.
laevigatum, respectively.
The July, 1954, installment is the first in a series de-
signed to cover the entire vascular flora of the Western
National Parks. A second part appeared in J uly, 1957.”
The first installment, however, is the only one containing
cryptogamic vascular plants. The first eight pages in
the initial paper are devoted to an introduction and to a
discussion of the vegetation of the Pacific Slope Region,
the Rocky Mountain Region, and the Southwest Region,
these being the phytogeographic areas recognized. The
keys to the ferns occupy pages 9 through 23 in the initial
paper. The remainder of this part, and all of the sub-
Sequent ones, cover the seed-bearing plants.
Part 1, in which the ferns and their allies are treated,
will be interesting to members of the Fern Society who
may have occasion to visit one or more of the National
Parks west of the Mississippi River—Ira L. Wiacrns,
Stanford University, Calif.
Notes and News
Our Cuarter Memper Honorep: The Council of the
American Fern Society has unanimously voted to remit
further dues for Miss Elmira Noyes, our one remaining
Charter Member. Miss Noyes joined the Society in 1893,
the year of its formation, and the Council thinks that
65 years is long enough for anyone to have to pay dues!
? Op. cit. 58: 73-114. 1957.
46 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Miss Noyes was a student at the University of Kansas of
Prof. W. C. Stevens, who taught botany at the university
for 51 years (1886-1937) and who died only two years
ago. According to our former Treasurer, Dr. McGregor,
Prof. Stevens remembered her very well. A portrait of
Miss Noyes and some of her personal recollections of the
early days of the Society were given in the article
‘‘Salute to Our Charter Members’’ by Dr. Correll.
ANNUAL MEETING, 1958.—The annual meeting of the
American Fern Society will be held this year on August
25 or 26, at the University of Indiana, Bloomington,
Indiana, in connection with the meetings of the American
Institute of Biological Sciences. We hope that members
will prepare papers that they will read at the meetings.
If a member is not able to attend in person, it will be
possible to make arrangements to have papers read by
others. Titles should be forwarded to the Secretary,
Dr. Mildred Faust, as soon as possible, or at least prior
to May 10.
AnnuAL SuMMER Fiewp-rrip, 1958.—This year the
Fern Society will have its field-trip in southern Ohio and
Indiana, a region containing a number of limestone out-
crops and a good many rare and interesting ferns.
Arrangements for the trip are being made by our Cura-
tor, Dr. Warren H. Wagner, Jr. (Department of Botany,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan). The
trip will probably be from about August 20 through 24.
As usual, we will rely on private cars for transportation ;
we shall probably be able to get rides for those without
cars. The cost will be kept to a minimum. Members
who are at all interested in attending should get in touch
with Dr. Wagner, so that he will have some idea of how
many accomodations to book at the motels or hotels that
we Shall stop at.
1 This JOURNAL 43: 137-149. pl. 12. 1958,
AMERICAN FERN Society 47
LETTER REGARDING MICROLEPIA STRIGOSA F. MACFADDENLAE.
November 6, 1957
Dear Mr. Morton:
The article you wrote in the July- September issue of
the JOURNAL on Microlepias is interesting and enlighten-
ing. Just goes to prove that calling a fern by the wrong
name for 30 years doesn’t change the real name at all.
The form MacFaddeniae that you describe has been
grown by me and many of my friends here for 30 years
or more under the name Asplenium Sandersonii. It is
one that we all thought we knew. Our dealers here ob-
tained it from a Mr. Baldwin in Pasadena, and that is
the name he released it under. I don’t know where he
obtained it. I think Mr. Baldwin looked in Nicholson’s
Dictionary of Gardening or Schneider’s Book of Choice
Ferns at the illustration of A. Sandersonii (they both
use the same one) and thought he had it.’ So did we. I
keep the long fronds picked out of f. M acFaddeniae, and
so the frond stays quite long and narrow; but a neighbor
of mine has let hers completely revert aaa it then does
look like M. strigosa. It has never had spores, but if it
does I shall send some.
Thank you for the Journan. May I say that I enjoy
each issue.
Sincerely,
Ora M. Wilson
American Fern Society
Report of the President for 1957
Several important changes in Fern Society affairs
have been made during 1957. Owing to a reorganization
of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, our Society has been given representation on
3 S a casual resemblance between iets fag strigisa f,
MacFaddeniae and Asplenium Sandersonii, but it is only super
ficial. The latt ra is a true Sa ie and Givstovs Sills guielated
to Microlepia. ©. V. Mor
48 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
their Council. By action of the Council of the American
Fern Society, Dr. A. C. Smith, of the National Science
Foundation, was appointed to represent our Society at
the regular and special meetings of the Council of the
A.A.A. e attended the regular meeting of the Coun-
cil of the A.A.A.S. at Indianapolis in December, partici-
pated in the deliberations of that body, and forwarded a
comprehensive report to the President in which he
covered all actions that held even remote significance for
the Fern Society.
During the spring of 1957, Dr. Rolla Tryon decided
to move from the Missouri Botanical Garden to the Uni-
versity of California, so it became necessary to find a
new depository for the Society’s Herbarium and Library
and to appoint a new Librarian and Curator. Dr. Tryon
convinced Dr. W. H. Wagner, Jr., that the University
of Michigan is conveniently and centrally located to a
large proportion of our membership. He was successful,
also, in getting Dr. Wagner to consent to being appointed
Librarian and Curator of the Herbarium. The Fern
Society’s Council has now appointed Dr. Wagner Librar-
ian and Curator of the Herbarium, so any member wish-
ing to borrow specimens or literature dealing with ferns
should, in the future, address his inquiry to Dr. W. H.
Wagner, Jr., Department of Botany, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mrs. Boydston continues to manage the Fern Society’s
Spore Exchange, and has done a ‘‘land office business’’
this past summer in sending out packets of spores. She
has been a trifle less successful in getting a satisfactory
supply of spores in exchange. Others can serve the in-
terests of the Society by sending her packets of carefully
collected spores or fragments of fruiting fronds.
An unexpectedly large increase in membership during
the year, noted in the Report of the Secretary, necessi-
tated another unusual action this past year. It was
necessary to increase the total number of copies of the
AMERICAN FERN Society 49
FERN JOURNAL run off at each printing in order to fill
the immediate demands and to provide a reasonable
supply of unbroken sets of the Journal for future sale.
Not only that, but we had to reprint two numbers, one
and three of Volume 47, because the entire run of each
of these numbers had been exhausted before the year
was completed. These increases are no more than indica-
tions of healthy growth, provided we retain the majority
of the new members a number of years and do not have
too many drop out a year or two after joining!
Many of us were shocked when informed of Harold A.
Rugg’s death on February 13th, only a month and a half
after he had become Vice-President of the Society. The
vacancy in the Council left by Mr. Rugg’s death was
filled by appointment of Dr. Benjamin R. Allison, who
consented to serve out the unexpired portion of the term.
His willing and able help was most timely and greatly
appreciated. He was particularly active in furthering
the interests of the Fern Society in the New York metro-
politan area, in planning and helping arrange field trips,
garden parties, and lectures for Fern Society members
and their friends.
Another member of the Fern Society, respected and
loved by all who knew her, was taken by death in August
of 1957. Mrs. C. A. Weatherby, who had been a member
of the American Fern Society since 1914, had accom-
panied her husband on many fern hunting trips prior to
his death in 1949. Together, they had made their home
near the Gray Herbarium in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
a mecca for all students of ferns and many who worked
on the flowering plants. Even after Mr. Weatherby’s
death, his widow had opened her home to visiting bota-
nists, and continued to show the kindly hospitality char-
acteristic of these two gentlefolk. This writer holds very
pleasant memories of the evenings spent with the Weath-
erbys in delightful historical spots around London, and of
afternoons comparing notes with them at Kew Gardens,
50 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
during the summer of 1937. All who knew them were
grieved when Mr. Weatherby died in July, 1949, and
now we mourn the passing of his devoted and talented
widow. It is characteristic of the generosity of Mr. and
Mrs. Weatherby that Mrs. Weatherby’s will provided a
legacy in the amount of $3,000 for the support of the
Fern Journal and other constructive uses of the Ameri-
can Fern Society. This fund will provide a small but
regular income in support of the Fern Journal and possi-
bly for other activities of the Fern Society. I am sure
that Mr. and Mrs. Weatherby planned this course of
action long years ago, because they clearly foresaw the
help such a gift could afford our Society.
Membership increased from slightly below 600 to a few
past 700 during 1957. Many of the new members joined
the Fern Society directly as a result of an article on
growing ferns from spores published in the August
number of ‘‘Sunset,’’ a West Coast magazine devoted
to beautification of the home, gardening, travel, and
recreation out of doors. We appreciate tremendously
the boost given us by the publishers of ‘‘Sunset’?! A
good many other new members were won through the
enthusiasm of members who had joined somewhat earlier
—from a year to over fifty years earlier! These staunch
supporters of the Society and its objectives deserve much
credit, and sincere thanks are extended to them. The
Editorial Board earnestly hopes that the pages of the
American Fern Journal will interest and stimulate our
new members, and that they will continue for many
years to study, grow, and enjoy ferns.
One of our members who participated in the Annual
Foray from August 21 through the 25th has prepared a
report, to be published separately, on that activity.
Following the Foray, a series of papers was presented
during two half-day sessions on August 26th, in eon-
Junction with the annual meetings of the American In-
stitute of Biological Sciences, held on the Stanford Uni-
AMERICAN FERN Society 51
versity campus. Thirty-eight individuals attended the
morning session and fifty-two were present during the
afternoon. Thirty-five members and friends enjoyed an
informal buffet luncheon during the noon-hour break
between the two sessions. A number of those attending
the Fern Society meeting on Monday remained through-
out the next two or three days to hear papers presented
by members of other organizations.
The reports prepared by the Secretary and by the
Treasurer indicate that the American Fern Society is
in a healthy condition, and that our regular financial
reserves have risen slightly during the year, in spite of
the slightly increased expenditures.
I take particular pleasure in thanking all of the offi-
cers, editorial staff members, curators, and librarians for
their splendid cooperation and for their individual ef-
forts in forwarding the interest of the American Fern
Society during 1957. The Treasurer and the Editor-in-
Chief have worked the hardest and most continuously,
and I am particularly grateful to both of them. I am
sorry that Dr. McGregor has found it necessary to termi-
nate his stewardship as Treasurer, but wish him pleasant
experiences during the sabbatical year he is planning
when his current school year is finishe
Those who have served on regular and special com-
mittees and in numerous other ways deserve commenda-
tion, and such is gladly given. To each member goes
my personal appreciation for entrusting me with the
office of president for yet another year. The honor is
accepted with humility and with the hope that 1958 will
witness further improvement in Fern Society affairs.
Two new officers, Vice-President, James E. Benedict,
Jr., and Treasurer, Dr. Walter S. Phillips, are weleomed
heartily to the Council. May they enjoy the duties of
their respective offices and gain valued friends among
the members of the Society.
Perhaps, since the annual meetings of the A.I.B.S. are
52 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
to be held in Bloomington, Indiana, from August 24-28
in 1958, a larger percentage of our membership can
attend than was able to get all the way to the Pacific
Coast in 1957. If so, I feel sure that officers and members
alike will enjoy the fellowship afforded by the Foray
and the formal part of the meetings that follow.
But whether all officers reach Indiana or some are
prevented from attending, each set of officers is tem-
porarily entrusted with the affairs of the Society—the
members constitute that Society and give it continuity,
character, and life. May each member, and the Ameri-
can Fern Society as a whole, experience an excellent
year during 1958.
Respectfully submitted,
Ira L. Wicarns, President
Report of the Curator and Librarian for 1957
This was a year of major changes. The American
Fern Society’s Herbarium and Library were transferred
from the Missouri Botanical Garden to the University
of Michigan Department of Botany in August, 1957.
The previous Curator and Librarian, Dr. Rolla Tryon,
organized the materials with his typical care and fore-
thought; and a total of 32 boxes (Merrill boxes) of
pteridophyte specimens and 11 boxes of books were re-
ceived at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on
August 12. The books were arranged on shelves in
cabinets with glass doors, and the specimens were dis-
tributed in two single-door steel cabinets (Chas. Lane &
Co.) in room 3010, Natural Sciences Building. The first
loan issued from the Library was on November 23, the
British Fern Gazette to Mr. Dale J. Hagenah of Birming-
ham, Michigan. Thus far no loans have been requested
from the Herbarium, although several of the advanced
graduate students at the University of Michigan have
consulted the collection in connection with special prob-
lems.
One of our pleasant prospects for the enrichment of
the Society’s Library is Dr. Edgar T. Wherry’s plan to
AMERICAN FERN Society 53
contribute a large number of his photographic negatives
of ferns, some of these representing rare species. We
have received news that Dr. Wherry also plans to con-
tribute a number of fern specimens to the Herbarium.
The first and most important thing that I, as the new
custodian of these collections, can do upon assuming the
duties of this office is to express my gratefulness, and
that of the American Fern Society, to my predecessor,
Dr. Tryon, for the excellent state of the materials and
for the fine manner in which he carried out his job.
Respectfully submitted,
Warren H. Waener, Jr., Curator and Librarian
Report of the Treasurer for 1957
At the end of the year our financial condition was a
little better than in 1956. This was due to a significant
increase in new members, the 87 sustaining members, the
sale of back volumes, and gifts to the Society. The cost
of handling the Society’s business remained nearly the
Same though the increased activity of the year caused
a slightly higher expenditure. A 3% increase in the cost
of printing was offset by a reduction in the size of the
JouRNAL from 176 pages to 168 pages. No funds were
withdrawn from the three reserve accounts.
After four years as Treasurer of the American Fern
Society, I wish to thank the many individuals who
cooperated so completely. It has been a pleasure to work
with the officers and members to further the study of
ferns.
Receipts
Amount Total
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1957 $1,600.15
1956 Membership Arrears $ 10.00
1957 Membership Renewals 712.15
1957 Sustaining Members 435.00
1957 New Members 240.78
1957 Subscription Renewals 80.60
1958 Subseription Renewals 273.55
Life Membership 50.00
Sale of Back numbers 174.34
54 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Sale of Reprints 194.44
Advertising 60.00
Gifts 168.64
2,399.50
$3,999.65
Disbursements
Amount Total
A. F. J. Vol. 46, No. 4 443.53
A. F. J, Vol. 47; No. 1 480.28
Ae Bd. Vo » No, 2 393.51
A. F. J. Vol. 47, No. 3 412.33
“aire SOAs INO. 8 A he 65.00
ee 183.49
Eaves an Maine AR, Te a, 78.73
Preaek nies 112.90
Secretary 33.76
Treasurer 96.21
ful Siew 21.09
2,320.83
Cash on hand, January 1, 1958 $1,678.82
STATEMENT DECEMBER 31, 1957
Ass
aes aie eae $1,678.82
Bissell Herbarium Bequest 648.40
Life Membership Fund ... 744.45
Rese si? GARI Nes SE OME tRed bre lone 1,774.88
ieventery Ao 25 0t 3,313.70
Ph ON kag re 396.00
Liabilities
Capital, Acsoaut 3200 oa ee a $6,350.99
Suspense sateen 1958 arg ae Seek enaee neta MS 273.55
Distribution, Vol. 46, 538.86
Bissell Herbarium Pik 648.40
Life Membership Fund 744.45
$8,556.25
Respectfully submitted,
Ronatp L. McGrecor, Treasurer
AMERICAN F'ERN SocieTy 55
Report of the Auditing Committee
We hereby certify that we have seen the books and ac-
counts of Dr. Ronald L. McGregor, Treasurer of the
American Fern Society, Inc., and have obtained confir-
mation of the correctness of the Society’s balances on
hand as set forth in detail in the accompanying report
of the Treasurer.
Auditing Committee
W. H. Horr
ELLEN 8. DUNCAN
Report of the Secretary for 1957
The membership has continued to increase, now total-
ing 709 as compared with 582 at the end of 1956. Cali-
fornia is far in the lead of all other states with a total
of 125 members.
Two honorary members were elected during the year:
Dr. Ralph C. Benedict, a past-President of the Fern
Society, and Dr. Irene Manton, of Leeds University.
England.
We regret to report the deaths of the following mem-
beds: Mr. Alfred T. Beals (1949), Mrs. Dudley Clapp
(1953), Mr. Otto C. Risch (1956), Mr. Harold G. Rugg
(1906), the Vice-president, and Mrs. Charles Weatherby
(1914).
In the afternoon of June 22, Mr. and Mrs. Thorlief
Fliflet and their family entertained the society in their
lovely garden and home at Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
Mr. Fliflet has reported on this in number three of the
JOURNAL. The many species of ferns are beautifully
arranged.
A New England Field-trip in the vicinity of Rutland,
Vermont was held July 12 and 13; this was reported on
by Anna Scudder in number four of the JouRNAL.
The annual summer Foray of the Society was lead by
Ira Wiggins and Conrad Morton. Mrs. Dorothea Luhr
is reporting the details of the trip in this number.
The Annual Meeting was held on the campus of Stan-
56 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
ford University, August 26, in connection with the
A.I.B.S. meeting. The morning meeting, presided over
by Mildred E. Faust, consisted of the following papers:
‘‘An Amateur Plants Fern Spores’’ by Kathryn E.
Boydston ; ‘‘Factors in the Collection, Propagation, and
Culture of Hardy Ferns,’’ by Harry K. Roberts; ‘‘Cul-
tivated Ferns of Southern California,’’ by Barbara Ho-
shizaki ; ‘‘ Notes on Some Mexican Ferns,’’ by A. J. Sharp
(read by title only) ; ‘‘The Discovery of Hymenophyl-
lum,’’ by Herman Persson; ‘‘ Microscopie Fern Studies,’
by Clara Hires; and ‘‘The Problems of Polypodium
virginianum L.”’ by Irene Manton, (read by title only;
published in number four of the JouRNAL).
At 12:15 an informal luncheon, presided over by
President Wiggins, was attended by 35 members.’
The afternoon session, presided over by Ira L. Wiggins,
consisted of the following papers: ‘‘ Peruvian Ferns,’’ by
olla M. Tryon; ‘‘Distributional Notes on Some Okla-
homa Ferns,’’ by George J. Goodman; ‘‘Survival of
Hart’s-tongue Fern in Central New York for 150 Years,’’
by Mildred E. Faust; ‘‘Collecting Ferns in British
Columbia,’’ by Fay A. MacFadden; ‘‘A Conspectus of
the Pteridophytes of British Columbia,’’ by Thomas M.
. Taylor; and ‘‘Ferns and Fern Allies in Marin
County,’’ by John T. Howell.
An Exhibition and Demonstration Room was open for
the Society during the entire convention period. Her-
barium specimens and living material of characteristic
California ferns and exotics growing in the region were
tas
1 Among Fern Society members and friends attending the lunch-
eon were: William H. Baker, N. Flo Bracelin, Lincoln Constance,
shi Hoshizaki, J ell, Marcel E
y, Sylvia B. Le:
man, Elbert Little, Fay A. MaeFadden, Elizabeth McClintock, C. V
orton, ersson, Walter lips, Lea Reed, Mr Ts
Harry K. Roberts, Lewis Rose, William E. Schmidt, Eva Sobol,
arold L. Swendsen, Lucile Evans Swendsen, T. M. ©. Taylor,
Alice Tryon, Rolla M. Tryon, Ernest Twisselmann, Ira L. Wiggins,
AMERICAN FERN Society 57
displayed by the California members, as well as a large
collection of photographs and models of fern spores of
Clara Hires. Dr. and Mrs. Tryon displayed specimens
and photographs of ferns with which they have worked.
All the members who attended realized and appreciated
the fact that the success of the entire program was due
in great part to the efficient planning of our President,
Dr. Ira L. Wiggins.
Respectfully submitted,
Mivprep E. Faust, Secretary
Report of the Judge of Elections
The results of the balloting for officers of the American
Fern Society are as follows:
For President
ra L. Wiggins 328
Clair Brown 1
C. V. Morton 1
For Vice-President
James E. Benedict, Jr. 327
Thomas Darling, Jr. 1
For Secretary
Mildred E. Faust 327
For Treasurer
Walter S. Phillips 326
I therefore declare the following candidates elected
to the several offices: President, Ira L. Wiggins; Vice-
President, James E. Benedict, Jr.; Secretary, Mildred E.
Faust; Treasurer, Walter S. Phillips.
ieee submitted,
. C. Lommasson, Judge of Elections
aie of California Field-trip
An enthusiastie group of members of the American
Fern Society, most of whom were attending the annual
meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences
at Stanford University, spent five profitable days, August
21-25, 1957, on a foray to Mendocino and Humboldt
CALIFORNIA FIELD-TRIP, 1957. Lerr to Rigut. BAck Row: SyLvIA LEATHERMAN, CONRAD
Morton, MitprRep Faust, Fay MacFappen, Mrs. Brown, J. R. Rogers, Mrs. ROGERS, ORA
WILson, Eva Sopot; Lower Row: Ira Wia@sin, CLAIR Brown, FRIEDA WERTMAN, DOROTHEA
LUHR, BARBARA JOE, DONALD HUTTLESTON, CLARA Hires, SARAH Brown, Betsy Rogers.
PHOTOGRAPH BY DorcAS Brown.
9 ALVIg ‘8F ANDTIOA
IVNUNOf NDT NvOUINy
AMERICAN FERN Society 59
Counties in the area north of San Francisco. The entire
trip was planned and led by Dr. Ira L. Wiggins, Director
of the Natural History Museum, Stanford University,
who had carefully located the ferns to be studied. The
group was most congenial and the plans were smoothly
carried out.
The caravan, comprising six cars and eighteen adults,
left the campus at eight o’clock and proceeded north on
Highway 101, which includes the Redwood Highway.
At no time were we more than 35 miles from the ocean.
We reached Eureka, a distance of 284 miles from San
Francisco, the second day.
Willits was our stop early in the afternoon of the first
day. Here we were met by Donald Branscomb, a fern
lover and a member of the Fern Society, who knows the
location of the wild ferns of the area and is successfully
cultivating many varieties. On a rock formation in a
canyon of Big Horn Ranch he showed us two small
clusters of Cheilanthus intertexta in dry condition due
to the lateness of the season. Cheilanthus gracillima and
Polystichum munitum var. imbricans were also seen in
location and we then were shown Mr. Branscomb’s
splendid private collection. Outstanding were Adiantum
x Tracyi, Polystichum californicum, P. Dudleyi, Poly-
podium Scouleri, Woodwardia fimbriata, and several
species of Pellaea, Notholaena, and Cheilanthes.
That evening we had an unusually clear view of the
comet Arkos.
Thursday morning we were taken on a tour of a mill
on the outskirts of Willits, where Douglas fir is used in
the manufacture of plywood. Five and a half miles
north of Laytonville Pilularia americana sporocarps
(with a few live fronds) were found in a bog. }
il ee ‘
EK STATE PARK, HUMBOLDT COUNTY
PHOTOGRAPH BY CLAIR BROWN
,
IVNYNOf Naa Nvowany
ILVId ‘SF ANNA
)
AMERICAN FERN Society 61
ferns are sold. However, the selection was small as
many buyers had depleted the stock. At the beautiful
Garden Club Grove, less well known and less crowded
than Richardson’s, were found Athyrium Filiz-femina,
Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens, Polystichum muni-
tum, Polypodium Glycyrrhiza, Adiantum pedatum,
Woodwardia fimbriata, and Dryopteris arguta. Near
Pepperwood, we saw huge plants of Polystichum muni-
tum and Athyrium Filiz-femina. The night was spent
in Eureka.
On Friday, August 23, we headed north to Prairie
Creek State Park in the northwest corner of Humboldt
County, following the spectacular Coast Highway.
Specimens of Blechnum spicant, Dryopteris arguta, D.
dilatata, Athyrium Filix-femina, Adiantum pedatum,
Polijstichidn munitum, Polypodium Scouleri, and Wood-
wardia fimbriata were found here, and again our photog-
raphers and spore collectors were busy. Then, instead
of taking the four and a half mile hike through the Park
to Fern Canyon, we drove over the mountains past
several saw mills and approached it from the sea. A
magnificent stand of Adiantum pedatum covers the walls
of the cork-serew shaped canyon, which even in late
summer were dripping with moisture. On the return to
our motels a very small clump of Lycopodium inundatum
was discovered by Dr. Wiggins at Big Lagoon State Park
and nearby in the tall grass seven specimens of Botry-
chium silaifolium were found and photographed. This
night also was spent in Eureka. Incidentally, fish
dinners and a smorgasbord were enjoyed on the nights
we spent there.
Early on the morning of August 24, Mr. and Mrs.
T. J. Nunan, of Eureka, showed us their garden, which
contains not only ferns, but many rare begonias, geran-
iums, and other plants. Several unusual, very fine-leaved
Species of Adiantum were observed. The mild climate
62 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
of Eureka makes outdoor culture of many plants possible,
with roof protection in the summer and hangings on
cooler winter nights.
Heading south, Founders Grove, containing the tallest
known living redwood tree, was visited. Adiantum
Jordani, Pityrogramma triangularis, and Selaginella
Wallacei were examined on rocks along the Eel River,
on the outskirts of Leggett. Willits again became our
stop for the night
An early start on Sunday, August 25, brought us back
to Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco, soon after noon.
Here we had our last meal together in a picnic grove.
After going through the conservatory, we carefully ex-
amined two tree ferns, Alsophila excelsa and Dicksonia
antarctica in Tree Fern Grove.
Those making all or part of the trip were: Mr. & Mrs.
Donald Branscomb, Dr. and Mrs. Clair A. Brown, and
daughters Misses Sarah and Dorcas Brown, Dr. Mildred
KE. Faust, Miss Clara S. Hires, Mrs. Barbara Joe Hoshi-
zaki, Dr. Donald G. Huttleston, Mrs. Sylvia Leather-
man, Mrs. Dorothea Luhr, Dr. and Mrs. R. C. Lommas-
son, and Beth, Carol, Paul and Tim Lommasson, C. V
Morton, Mr. & Mrs. T. J. Nunan, Mr. and Mrs. J. R.
Rogers, Timmie Rogers, Miss Eva Sobol, Mr. and Mrs.
Harold L. Swendsen, Mrs. Frieda Waren, Dr. Ira L.
Wiggins, and Mrs. Ora Wilson—Dororuea Lune.
New MEMBERS
Mr. nn M. Addison, 1585 Cherry Glen Way, San Jose 25,
Califor
Mr. Say ea ad of Botany, University of California,
Berkeley 4, Califor
rs. Lenore propicey 2104% Grant Avenue, Redondo Beach,
California
Miss Karen 8, Alt, Rancho Santa Ana cin Garden, 1500 North
College Avenue, Claremont, Californi
Mrs. F, L. Ballard, Jr., 149 Nurthwoners Avenue, Philadelphia 18,
Pennsylvania
Mr, A. M. Bean, 1456 Vancouver Avenue, Burlingame, California
AMERICAN FERN Society 63
Mr. Fred C. st 2620 North Willard Avenue, South San
Gabriel, Califo
rae Sally C ici, 718 10th Street, Santa ape California
r. Hugh Catier, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis 10, Missouri
i John Dent, 2400 North saalyigs Avenue, eae California
Mr. Miguel A. Diaz, P. O. Box 74, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Mrs. Ellen Dunean, 938 ree ee , Lawrence, Kansas
Miss Florence J seas Durmay, 3810 Woodland Avenue, West
Mrs. Fern B. macs, 1101 East Altadena Drive ae , Calif.
Mr. George F, Evans, 4030 Haines gs me Bi » California
Mr. s, 16 adi
treet, Cle
Mr. Neill D. Hall, 1225 East 95th pose pare as: enc
Miss Ann Hampton, 185 Whiting Street, Grass sank California
Mrs. adapt P. Hatley, 4358 Lyceum Ave., Mar , Calif.
Mrs. Dorothy M. Hitchcock, P. 0. Box 822, oa N, H.
Mr. Arthur James, Delta Flowers, 4249 7th Street, S.W., Canton 10,
Ohio
Mr. Martin C. Johnson, 22276 Oak Avenue, Los Altos, cet
Mrs. Thomas B. Jones, 1131 Prescott Street, MeKees
Mr. Felix M. Jury, Tikorangi, Waitara, New Boland
York
11815 Juniette Street, Culver City, California
Miers, Mabel Mackinlay, 2508 N. Portland Boulevard, Portland 17
Miss H. M. Marsh, 481 Dolores Avenue, San Leandro, ce iapaid
Mr, Charles F. Moore, P. 0. Box 8, Brevard, North Carolin
Mr. Dudley L. Parsons, 55 Marcourt Drive, Chappaqua, New Yo rk
Mrs. J. G. Perry, 2180 Fremore Street, Beaumont, Texas
Mr. Waldo Todd Pratt, 84 Maplewood Avenue, West Hartford 7,
tieu
. E. Prickett, Box 296, Wheeler; Oregon
Miss Mary D. Rankin, 2248 Seminary Avenue, Oakland, California
Mr. Patrick J. Bicudor:. 490 Vincente Avenue, Berkeley 7, Calif.
Mr. Milton E, Scherer, M.C.M.T. Quarters 20, Sault St. Marie,
Michigan
Mrs, Eugene R. Sm Pe Box let, hen California
Mrs. ee ‘oimita, 2198 Veteran Avenue, Los Angeles 25, Calif.
Mr. anton, Fowler Chapter, Puture Farmers of America,
Fo whee prea
Miss Lillian N. Stockwell 114 Bay Street, Alameda, California
64 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Mr. Langley G. Walker, 65 Bellevue Avenue, Summit, New Jersey
Mrs. Thomas Wall, 1551 30th Avenue West, Seattle 99, tied a
Mr. Reeve T. Watson, Route 1, Box 35, Gilroy, Califo
Mr. Charles E. Young, Jr., 1136 New Hampshire ay aici
Nebraska
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
r. and Mrs, Edward P, Allen, 505 Ridge View Road, Orange, Conn.
re Lenette Rogers Atkinson, c/o Bruce, 52 Steattnides Road,
Brookline 46, Massachusetts
Miss Frances W. Brewster, 294 Montgomery St., Bloomfield, N.
Mr. Dara E. Emery, 807 Moreno Road, Santa Baviard, pea Aa
Mr, i. T. Foster, pets Lane, Vermont
Mr. R. M. Mapai P. O. Box 5731, Upper Arlington Braneh, Co-
at , Ohi
Dr. Neal we ‘dilbert, 2031 A Central Road, Fort Lee, New Jersey
Ch Vv
Dr. Henry A. Imshaug, Department of Natural Science, Michigan
L :
chigan
Mr, Carl 8. Keener, ¢/o Jonas Swartz, Route 1, Box 74, Phoenix-
ville, Pennsylvania
Mr. E. P. Killip, 620 Eaton Street, Key West, Florida
Mr. John P. Knable, II, 172 Spring Grove Rd. Soe vets 32, Pa.
Mrs. Ruth Lippincott, 56 La Cuesta Drive, Otindé: arabes
Mrs. Diane Koshal McGuire, 237 Sanford St., Rochester, N. _
Mrs. fies “ea Route 1, Box 323, Old Hickory, se iicsdeuds
Dr. Dwight M. Moore, Department of Forestry, Arkansas A. & M.
College, pei Heights, Arkans
Mr. Robert R. Ream, 825 West Sevk ne Street, Madison, bbeteieas
Mr. Ray A. Robinéon: 720% Ocean View, Monrovia, Calif
Dr. Donald P. Roperé, Department of Botany, Wilideatty Po Tt
nois, Urbana, Illinois
Mrs. Elizabeth A, Valentine, P. O. Box 186, Furlong, Bucks
County, Pennsylvania
Mrs. Frieda Wertman, 1201 Whitehurst Dr., Monterey Park, Calif.
HENRY GEORGE FIEDLER
Scientific Books and Periodicals
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and cryptogamic botany
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EDWIN A. MENNINGER
The Flowering Tree Man
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THE PREPARATION
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FREE COPY 1: dennron
of this
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“THE PREPARATION OF
BOTANICAL SPECIMENS
FOR THE HERBARIUM”
Dr. I. M. Johnston, of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University,
has generously shared the benefits of his long = ——— experi-
ence in the collection and preparation of plant s:
‘Help for the amateur botanist, and hints for ai esinnal col-
ector, abound in this thirty-six page illustrated treatise in _— Dr.
Johnston describes time tested sechaicnel for pressing, preserving and
_ mounting herbarium materials, Special methods are outlined for for
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- _ CAMBOSCO | SCIENTIFIC COMPANY
ERP STREET | BRIGHTON STATION
“BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A.
Vel. 48 April-June, 1958 No, 2
American Fern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
Bd
EDITORS
Cc. V. MORTON
R. C. BENEDICT IRA L. WIGGINS
A MITH
Fad
CONTENTS
Ferns as a Hobby in Southern California... R. C. BENxpicT 65
Is Equisetum laevigatum a Hybrid?....... “icHAB TL L, Hauke 68
‘The Ball Fern in Cultivation ..= = 3....s0. ARA JOE 72
The Identity of Polypodium viride Gilbert... re v. on 75
Ophioglossum yvulgatum in reece le cae
Some Critical and New Central American Species of
Urustachys ................... W. Herrer 81
Shorter notes : The Hollyfern, Cyrtomium faleatum, Out-
doors in Ohio; —"s Adiantum-nigrum Again... 84
Recent Fern Literature - 86
Notes and News: Adviiits tea fot 3 a 1959 . Field-teip
Organization of the Los Angeles Fern Society; Member
Honored; New Membership List; Spore Sxchakce In-
vited ; Exchange Invited; British Dealer in Fern Spores 91
American Fern Society: Report of the Spore ee . 94
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, $2.35; ; FOREIGN, $2.45
: N. saa x ST. AND McGOVERN AVE., LANCAS: ue tqit
ote 2 faeeren
Epoqccen
“ander cotta Att oe of March 3. oa aa
wiaek sete fe
meas al TSS
Che American Hern Society
Counril for 1958 ,
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
Tra oe oe Dudley Herbarium, Stanford Ere _
Pre
dent
Scie: B. es: JR., 945 Pennsylvania Ave. ., N.W., Washing-
ton C. Vice-President
MILDRED h Faust, Department of Botany, Syracuse Uaieargis.
Syracuse, New Yor: Secretary
Watter 8. PHILuPs, Department of Botany, University of Ari-
zona, Tueson, Arizona Treasurer
C. V. Morton , Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
Ed ditor-in- -Chief
OFFICIAL ORGAN
American Fern Journal
C. V. Morton ........... Sictthaaiae 2 Tecra tion, Washington 25, D. C.
R. C. BENEpIcT 2214 Beverly Road, Brooklyn 26, N. Y.
Ira L, Wicains .... Dudley Herbarium, Stanford University, Calif.
A. C, Surre .. .. National Science Foundation, Washington 25, D. C.
Sub ij 'y $2.35 per reig xtra ; € 4
< a of the nae FERN SOCIETY (annual dues, -
3 Sustaining membership, $5.00; life membership, $50.00). a
tracted reprints, if ordered in advanee, will be fur nished authors
at cost. They should be ordered when proof is is returned.
Back volumes $1.50 each, except vols. 1, 38, = 40, $2.25; —
_ back numbers 50 cents each, pat a 38, no. 4 and vol, 40, =
$1.25; Cumulative In dex to ose , 25 ee
discount on orders of ms ume pete
Matter ~ publication should be Ee herg to ©. V. Morton,
_ Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D P
eS Ores he back numbers and other business communications _
me age ™ stoned © the Treasurer of the Socie: iety.
LIBRARIAN AND CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM
RM. Tryon, Tr., Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Mo.
inut alt cost oe
also are open to members who ak to. ‘arrange a
wat list is —, at intervals, to ta: aeniat: :
ng ot a eet | ie calities,
American Fern Journal
Vou. 48 APRIL—J UNE No, 2
Ferns as a Hobby in Southern California
R. C. BENEDICT
For some years, it has been a matter of interest to me
to note in each issue of the Fern Journal the increasing
numbers of new members with California addresses. As
long ago as 1953, Matt Mann, the Treasurer of the Fern
Society, called attention to the fact that the California
membership had grown until its list was second only to
that of New York. By now it must have taken the lead.
During the last year or two, Mr. Morton’s articles on
cultivated fern species, with their frequent references to
southern California fern gardens, have cast some light on
the reason for the rapid growth. It remained, however,
for a recent four weeks visit to that area, with the much
appreciated help of a number of local members, to make
clear to me the extensive and growing interest on the part
of dwellers in what local newspapers refer to as ‘‘The
Southland.’’ The climate of California, as far north as
San Francisco, is conducive to year-round gardening.
Daffodils bloom in January, at least in areas not too far
from the coast or too high in altitude. Roses bloom the
year-round. Apparently, almost every home owner is
garden-conscious, and the interest is not merely in a few
flower beds but in broader landscape effects. Ferns, I
was informed by one adviser in interior and exterior
decoration, are essential to provide finely divided foli-
age, as an offset to the plainer and coarser patterns of
philodendrons and so forth. Nurserymen abound. In
the yellow-pages of one of the five or six large telephone
books which are necessary to cover the sprawling metrop-
: [Vol. 48, No. 1, of the JourNAL, pp. 1-64, was issued April 17,
958. ]
66 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
olis of Los Angeles, I counted upwards to one hundred
nurserymen, and that number would have to be multi-
plied a good many times to cover all the local retailers
that might be expected to offer at least some fern plants.
Even the giant food-markets have their plant sections
with ferns; I saw Boston Fern sports, small tree-ferns,
and others in Ralph’s Market, one of the large local con-
cerns. -
Because of the mild climate of much of California, it is
possible to grow outdoors a wide range of fern species
from subtropical regions. The fern gardener in one of
the eastern states counts himself fortunate if his state of-
fers as many as forty hardy species, but the southern
Californian makes use of a present list said to number
about 140 species, and that number could easily be multi-
plied several times by the introduction of appropriate
species. This section of California has an advantage, as
I later learned, over portions of the states bordering the
Gulf of Mexico where mild winter temperatures also pre-
vail but where with intense summer heat there are also
heavy, driving rainstorms, a combination hard on deli-
cate fern foliage.
Besides the general interest in a wide variety of fern
species, there is also the collector’s interest shown espec-
ially for platyceriums or staghorn ferns. At one small
private garden in Ventura, the lady of a house where be-
gonias had held sway reported that her husband agreed
they might get one staghorn. Thereafter, he caught the
fever and now they spend every available period scout-
ing hundreds of miles to add additional species of this
genus.
While most of the fern species in wide use are much
less striking and distinctive than the staghorns, small and
large fern plantings present unfamiliar aspects to a visi-
tor from the East. Most similar, perhaps, is Polystichum
setosum, which looks enough like P. Braunii to show its
FERNS as A Hoppy 67
relationship. Familiar from their wide use by eastern
orists are various species of brake (Pteris) and the holly
fern (Cyrtomium). Public parks and some small gar-
dens have their representation of tree-ferns, mostly of
Australasian origin, but an Hawaiian tree-fern species,
Cibotium Chamissoi, has been abundantly imported in
dormant, rootless condition. I met some difference of
opinion as to the permanent establishment of these
trunks, but I saw a number that seemed to be thriving
after years in the same place. At one grower’s, these
trunks were on sale at prices proportional to their
length—a 114 foot specimen could be bought for $1.50
but the per-foot price increased for longer trunks. The
same grower had a splendid, long-established specimen
of Dicksoma antarctica, with a 10-foot trunk and more
than 100 leaves; the price, admittedly designed to make
its sale unlikely, was $450.00.
Interest in ferns is not confined merely to individual
gardeners and garden clubs. The City of Los Angeles
has taken official cognizance of a feature of its large Grif-
fiths Park—a winding valley known as the Fern Dell.
One of our members, Dr. W. C. Drummond, has official
recognition as in charge of the continued improvement of
the plantings. Dr. Drummond is preparing an account of
the Fern Dell for the Journal.
Eastern fern hobbyists, with their climate-limited pe-
riod and range of fern garden activity may well feel a
touch of envy of an area where the opportunities are so
much wider. Some of these newly established California
ferns are familiar as house fern types for eastern indoor
growth—Cyrtomium, Pteris species, and others. One
which is rarely seen in the East but which can make
a good house plant is the ‘‘mother fern’’ or ‘‘mother
spleenwort,’’ Asplenium bulbiferum, with its finely cut
leaves, and copious production of small plants on the
older leaves.
Pitot Knos, New York
68 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Is Equisetum laevigatum a Hybrid?
RicHarp L. HAUKE
The genus Equisetum is an ancient one, having possibly
the longest fossil record of any extant genus of plants.
There are about 20 living species throughout the world,
but the specific differences are often subtle and the
species tend to run together. An example is E. moorei
of Europe, also called E. hyemale var. schleicheri and
E. intermedium (of Schur, not Rydberg), which is inter-
mediate between FE. hyemale and E. ramosissimum and
seems to intergrade into both. Manton, 1950, showed
cytological evidence of the hybrid nature of this Euro-
pean species, as well as of EL. trachyodon and E. litorale,
both of which had been previously suspected of being
hybrids. She wrote: ‘‘The detection of three species
hybrids among little more than a dozen representatives
of the genus is a surprisingly large number, especially
when the rarity of prothalli is remembered, and it sug-
gests fairly clearly that speciation can still oceur.’’
In 1952, while attempting to identify the representa-
tives of the genus Equisetum in northern Michigan, I
became quite interested in the sect. Hippochaete, or
scouring rush group, and have since adopted it as my
doctoral thesis problem. Within this section there are
several species that have been troublesome, including
E. laevigatum. Part of this species was segregated into
E. hyemale var. intermedium by A. A. Eaton, and called
this because it was intermediate between E. hyemale and
E. laevigatum. Schaffner later segregated those members
of FE. laevigatum with annual stems and blunt strobili
as a new species, E. kansanum. Looking for additional
characteristics by which to differentiate between these
two species, I mounted their spores, and was greatly
surprised to discover that all specimens from this area
of Michigan that fit the description of E. laevigatum as
EQUISETUM LAEVIGATUM 69
delimited by Schaffner have abortive spores, whereas
those specimens that fit his description of FH. kansanum
have good spores. It is rather disturbing to think that
such a widespread and common species as FE. laevigatum
might be of hybrid origin, so I sought further evidence
FIGS
BiG. oe
EQUISETUM LAEVIGATUM. Fic. 1. TELOPHASE II, SHOWING
CHROMO gigs BRIDGE AND LAGGING CHROMOSOMES, x 215; Fie... 23:
ANAPHA I, SHOWING LAGGING CHROMOSOMES, 485: Fig. 3.
SPORES, pe es DIVERSITY IN SIZE AND LACK OF ELATER DEVELOP-
MENT, Xx 50
A
9
for this idea. On May 31, 1957, I collected young strobili
of FE. laevigatum from a colony growing on Pine Point,
Douglas Lake, Cheboygan County, Michigan (R. L.
Hauke 111), fixed them in Neweomer’s solution, squashed
70 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
them in acetocarmine, and studied meiosis. The results
were very interesting: The divisions were quite irregular,
with lagging chromosomes and formation of bridges
(figs. 1 and 2). Cytologically, therefore, it would appear
that FE. laevigatum is a sterile hybrid.
This startling observation is reinforced by the inter-
mediate character of FE. laevigatum, between E. hyemale
and HL. kansanum, as can be seen from the following table.
hyemale laevigatum kansanum
1. Perennial. Perennial, ’ Annual.
least at bas
2. Bast under ridges Mostly ae Bast under ridges
more extensive hyemale but inter less extensive than
aap _ t under aging to kansanum. bast under grooves.
groo
3. Apiculus of Apiculus of Apiculus of strobilus
strobilus well- strobilus prominent mainly absent,
developed. to nearly absent. strobilus blunt.
4. Fruiting June Fruiting late Fruiting mid-May to
to October. May to August. July.
Equisetum laevigatum is an inhabitant of disturbed
places, such as sandy lake shores, railroad embankments,
and roadsides, the types of habitat where one might
expect to find hybrids.
But if our familiar E. laevigatum is sterile, how could
it become so widespread? Several factors should be
considered. First, Equisetum is clonal and very resistant
to destruction. On Pine Point, Douglas Lake, Michigan,
for example, where I obtained the material for cytological
study, the colony has resisted destruction by wave action
and sand burial over 24 years at least, for there is a
specimen in the University of Michigan herbarium col-
lected there on June 22, 1933 (Ehlers 5237), the one
from which I obtained the abortive spores illustrated in
fig. 3. Secondly, Equisetum readily propagates itself
vegetatively by fragmentation. Schaffner, 1931, showed
this with E. prealtum (E. hyemale) and E. arvense.
EQUISETUM LAEVIGATUM ae
Thus, a colony such as the one on Pine Point could be
broken by wave action, and segments of stem carried
around to other parts of the lake-shore, or down the
outlet, until, landing in wet sand, they take root and
produce a new rhizome system. Those species, such as
E. laevigatum, growing in disturbed places would be most
favored by such vegetative propagation.
Considering these facts, one can conceive of a sperm
from E. hyemale fusing with an egg of EH. kansanum to
produce a single hybrid plant, which, due to heterosis,
might overgrow and eliminate the normal Equisetum
plants nearby. If this hybridization occurred on a rail-
road embankment (a not unlikely place for such an
event) and if the railroad embankment were near a rail-
road center like Saint Louis, an area where both putative
parents are common, then one can visualize this colony
providing cuttings for dispersal in all directions and
later growth into new colonies. In one hundred years
a single hybridization might provide enough plants to
cover a large area of the Midwest.
In the far West, the parents would most probably be
E. hyemale and the plant known as EF. funstonii. The
latter is considered by Miss Emily L. Hartman (private
communication) to be inseparable from EF. kansanum,
and she combines the two under the name £. laevigatum
ssp. funstonit.
Although the presence of abortive spores and irregular
meiosis in E. laevigatum, along with its intermediate
morphology between E. hyemale and E. kansanum, argue
for the hybrid origin of this species, its abundance and
broad distribution will have to be accounted for. It is
hoped therefore that continuing work will provide more
facts bearing on the evidence for a hybrid origin of E.
laevigatum, and the reason for its abundance and wide
distribution.
DepaRTMENT OF Botany, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN,
ANN ArBor, MICHIGAN
Tz AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
LITERATURE CITED
Manton, Irene. Problems of Cytology and Evolution in the
Pteridophyta. Cambridge University Press. 1950.
Schaffner, John H. Propagation of Equisetum from sterile aerial
shoots. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 58: 531-535. 31.
The Ball Fern in Cultivation
BARBARA JOE
The Ball Fern, Davallia Mariesii Moore, is currently
being imported from Japan under the name D. bullata
Clusters of the rhizome have been fashioned into the
shape of monkeys, dolls, horses, and other figures. Inas-
much as it is native to the mountains of Japan, this
species should be able to withstand temperatures com-
parable to that of Washington, D. C. These fern figures
have a tendency to dry out rather easily and must be
frequently syringed to maintain sufficient moisture
around the roots. Once in a while they should be given
a thorough soaking. They will do best hung in a pro-
drafts. In cool climates the Ball Fern is deciduous;
however, in greenhouses or warmer climates most of the
fronds are persistent through the winter.
Prices range from $3.00 to $25.00 depending on the’
elaborateness of the figure. The monkey is about 12
inches in length and averages about $7.00 to $10.00.
Supplies are most plentiful in spring when dormant
shipments arrive from Japan. They are available at
La Fleur Nursery, 11373 South Pico Boulevard, Los
Angeles, California and Virgil Nursery, 621 North Virgil
Avenue, Los Angeles 4, California.
Giaitas to the Ball Fern but three to four times larger
is Davallia trichomanoides Blume, which, as the Squirrel-
Foot Fern or under the mis-applied name D. canariensis,
is frequently cultivated in Southern California. This
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VoLUME 48, PLATE 8
“MONKEY” AND “Horse” ARRANGEMENTS OF BALL FERN
74 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
fern is both attractive and very useful in garden land-
scaping. Although commonly used in hanging baskets,
this fern is also adapted to ground cultivation. he
creeping habit enables it to grow over rocks and wood,
softening the surfaces with its finely cut fronds and
lending a woodland atmosphere to the planting. Tem-
perature-wise it is considered hardy to semi-hardy, hav-
ing endured temperatures as low as 32°, and perhaps it
may survive lower temperatures. It is evergreen.
Specimens grown in baskets have their containers
thickly lined with sphagnum moss and within this nest
of moss the fern is planted in a friable soil mixture (2
parts peat moss or leaf-mold to 1 part sand or sandy
loam). A thin layer of moss spread over the soil aids
in keeping the soil in place and protecting the rhizomes
from drying out. Some growers prefer to plant baskets
entirely with sphagnum moss. Once planted, adequate
water and a protected place is about all this epiphyte
will require. As a rule, epiphytes do well with a very
small amount of mineral nutrients, and unless the plant
is showing poor growth, fertilizer is best withheld. Vege-
tative propagation is achieved by pegging down portions
of the rhizomes on sphagnum moss or partly burying
them in friable soil. Rotting of the rhizomes may be
indicative of over-watering or poor drainage.
Prices of D. trichomanoides range from $0.75 for a
21-inch pot size to $10.00 for baskets or those growing
on driftwood. They are available at the previously
mentioned nurseries and at Robert’s Sub-tropical Gar-
dens, 10136 National Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
Davallia solida, and D. fejeensis and its cultivars are
occasionally offered in trade. Generally they are green-
house subjects, being tender even in Southern Californian
climates.
565 North WerstmMoreLANp, Los ANGELES 4,
CALIFORNIA,
POLYPODIUM VIRIDE 75
The Identity of Polypodium viride Gilbert
C. V. Morton
In 1899, Mr. Benjamin D. Gilbert described a new
species of Polypodium which he ealled P. viride, which
has remained a nominally valid species since that time,
primarily because no one has investigated it. Recently,
Mr. G. Brownlie, of Canterbury University College,
Christchurch, New Zealand, has asked me about it and
prompted me to look into the matter.
Mr. Gilbert wrote that his material had been collected
for him by Dr. C. H. F. Peters, the astronomer-in-chief
of the Transit-of-Venus Expedition of 1874. Most of Dr.
Peters’ collections were obtained near Queenstown, near
Waikatipu Lake, New Zealand. The new species P. vir-
ide was described as intermediate between Polypodium
pellucidum and P. vulgare, differing from both in being
smaller, in having the veins only once forked, and in the
fine black wavy costae, the slender green stipes and ra-
chis, and the metallic green color of the fronds.
The Gilbert Herbarium was for some time thought to
be lost, but it has been preserved. It was bequeathed to
Hamilton College, which is located at Clinton, New York,
and has been preserved in good condition in the herbar-
ium of the Department of Biology of that institution.
Through the courtesy of Prof. Walter N. Hess I have
been privileged to borrow the type of P. viride, a photo-
graph of which is reproduced in the accompanying plate.
The label of the type reads ‘‘Polypodium viride sp. n.
Gilbert; Leg. Dr. C. H. F. Peters—1874; New Zealand,
Middle Island.’’ The plant is the common polypody of
the eastern United States, Polypodium vulgare var. vir-
ginianum (l.) Eaton, which should perhaps be treated
as a distinct species P. virginianum L. The cytological
1 Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 29: 316. 1899.
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 48, PLATE 9
5 vi Be
SPECiER. ie ole. ihn. G4 t Sharh
Lec. A q Mp |S G hlers shh
Jie. Leabaazd Hecdbl, Seleeal,
HOLOTYPE OF POLYPODIUM VIRIDE
OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM 77
evidence is not all in yet. It is matched perfectly by
material from New York State and Pennsylvania. One
must assume that somehow a plant from the eastern
United States became inadvertently mixed in Gilbert’s
herbarium with the Peters’ collections from New Zealand.
Neither P. vulgare nor any allied species is known from
New Zealand, and it seems likely that if any occurred
there they would have been found by other persons than
Dr. Peters.
The differences mentioned by Gilbert are not distine-
tive. Plants of P. virginianum are often quite small, the
veins are mostly only once-forked, the costae are fine,
black, and wavy, the stipes and rhachis are green, and
the fronds are mostly quite persistently green. The
principal distinctive character is found in the paraphy-
ses, which are illustrated by Dr. Manton in no. 4 of the
American Fern Journal for 1957. These characteristic
paraphyses of P. virginianum are present on the plants
of P, viride, and are conclusive proof of its identity.
Unttep Srares NationaL Museum, WasHINeTOoN, D. C.
Ophioglossum vulgatum in Missouri
JuuIAN A. STEYERMARK
Except for one isolated station north of the Missouri
River, all other collections of Ophioglossum vulgatum in
Missouri have been known until recently from the low-
land counties of the Mississippi Embayment section of
the southeastern portion of the state. The discovery
during the past two years of this fern from another sta-
tion north of the Missouri River and from a sector of the
eastern Ozarks has necessitated a restudy of the Missouri
material and has revealed the presence in the state of the
two varieties, i. e., var. pycnostichum Fernald and var.
pseudopodum (Blake) Farwell, as represented in the
United States.
Nearly thirty years ago I found a few plants of Ophio-
78 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
glossum vulgatum in a secluded wooded valley of Sandy
Creek, west of Foley, in Lincoln County. This area, lying
within a deeply dissected stratum of St. Peter sandstone
of Ordovician Age, harbors a unique flora for this sec-
tion of east-central Missouri. It is here that a number
of species, such as Vaccinium arboreum Marsh. and
Mitchella repens L., otherwise confined in Missouri to
the Ozark section south of the Missouri River, reach a
northern limit. Together with many other species found
in this and adjacent counties, the flora partakes of an
Ozark character, comprising many species known to occur
only in the hilly section, entirely unglaciated, south of
the Missouri River. Combined with an old weathered
mantle of residual rock, this Lincoln County and sur-
rounding area give every indication of having escaped
Pleistocene glaciation.*
The county just south of Lincoln County, St. Charles
County, is just north of the Missouri River, but, likewise,
possesses a similarly predominant Ozark flora. It was,
therefore, more or less expected that another station for
Ophioglossum vulgatum would sooner or later turn up
from this area. During 1956 in a rich wooded valley in
St. Charles County I discovered a large number of plants
belonging to this species. The data for this collection
are: Locally frequent in rich wooded valley of Callaway
Fork, at base of north-facing limestone wooded slopes,
T 45 N, R 2 KH, sect. 7 and 8, 4-5 miles southeast of New
Melle, 314-4 miles northeast of Schluersburg, St. Charles
County, July 26, 1956, Steyermark 81994 (F, GH, MO,
US). The St. Charles and Lincoln county collections
both belong to O. vulgatum L., var. pyenostichum Fern.
Until 1957, these stations were separated by nearly 150
miles from the next closest known stations to the south in
the state where Ophioglossum vulgatum occurs. Plants
Cf. gf george pes fos Bot. Gard. 39: 126-135. 1951;
Phoders 55: 226,
OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM 79
from these stations, in the southeastern counties (Bol-
linger, Seott, Stoddard, New Madrid, Pemiseot, Dunklin,
and Butler), uniformly belong to the other variety, i. e.,
var. pseudopodum (Blake) Farwell, with relatively nar-
rower obovate or elliptic blades narrowed or tapering to
the base. However, in the spring of 1957, I discovered
a stand of O. nalouinn var. ene in a section of
WOphioglossum vubgatum
var. pseudopodum
ear + Ophioglossum vulgatum
» var. pycnostichum
DISTRIBUTION OF THE TWO VARIETIES OF OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM
MISSOURI
the Ozarks in Crawford County—bottom of ravine run-
ning NNE into Courtois Creek, T 37 N, R 2 W, sect 4,
just north of Valley View Roadside Park, 4 miles north-
west of Berryman, April 28, 1957, Steyermark 83927
(F). This isolated Ozark collection, the first of the spe-
cies to be found within the Ozark section south of the
Missouri River, now bridges the gap separating the St.
Charles County occurence of var. pycnostichum and the
80 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
southeastern Missouri stations of var. pseudopodum by
only 55 miles (fig. 1).
The specimens of O. vulgatum var. pseudopodum,
cited below, have been examined in the herbaria of the
Missouri Botanical Garden (MO), Chicago Natural His-
tory Museum (F), and the private herbarium of E. J.
Palmer grt Herb.) :
Bou R Co.: Low rich woods, Brownwood, mae 5, 1919,
aae wis Cito, Palmer Herb.). Butter Co.: Rich wooded
slopes and valley woods along south side of Cane Grea: As 24 N,
R5 E p
CRAWFoRD Co.: Cited previously, April 28, 1957, Steyermark
83927 (F). Premiscot Co.: Vir are kia eo level ground on
property of Son Rone, T 20 N, R 12 8, see , 3 mi, southwest
of Portageville, July 29, 1956, Steyermarh pe 58 (F). NEw
Manvrip Co.: Deciduous lowland woods, T 24 N, R 14 E, NW cor-
ner sect. 32 and NE corner sect. 31, 1% mi. south of Riendomwse:
Mound, about four miles northeast of La Farge, April 6, 1956,
Wemrausk 80869 (F). Scorr Co.: Rich humus in low flat ground
along creek bottom, T 29 N, R 13 E, SW part sect 13, 24% mi.
southwest of Kelso, along branch of Sals Creek, July 23, 1951,
Steyermark 72234 (F). Stopparp Co.: Rich wooded slopes below
quartzite sandstone bluffs, west of Heagy, April 25, 1938, Steyer-
mark 5077 (F); moist sandy soil, wooded hillsides, Dexter, April
18, 1919, Palmer 14765 (MO, Palmer Herb.) ; wooded valley along
stream, Crowley Ridge, T 25 N, R 10 E, sect 1, 2% mi. northeast
of Dexter, April 7, 1956, Steyermark 80893 (F).
While 0. vulgatum is relatively rare in Missouri, and
always is found in rich wooded sites of valleys and low
wooded ground, O. Engelmanniit Prantl is frequent
throughout southern and central Missouri, always con-
fined to upland limestone glades and outcrops in the un-
glaciated section of the state. It is absent from the south-
eastern lowland section of the state inhabitated by O.
vulgatum. The two diverse habitats of these species are,
therefore, quite distinct in the state.
494 Nortu Hit Drive, BArrineton, ILuinots.
CENTRAL AMERICAN UROSTACHYS 81
Some Critical and New Central American
Species of Urostachys
W. HERTER
Next to the high-Andean regions of equatorial South
America the highlands of Central America are richest
in species of Urostachys (liycopodiaceae), although they
have been little investigated. Through the kindness of
C. V. Morton, of the U. S. National Museum, Washing-
ton, D. C., I have been able to study a number of collec-
tions from this region, and I am taking this opportunity
of presenting a short summary of the forms studied. The
material comes mostly from the mountains of Guatemala,
Costa Rica, and Panama, but I mention a few specimens
from Mexico and the Dominican Republic also. The ar-
rangement of the species follows the order given in my
system (Herter 1949-50), as did my last publication on
the high-Andean Urostachys (Herter 1953). All the
specimens cited are in the U. 8S. National Herbarium.
I should like to express my gratitude to Prof. Dr. W.
Mevius, Director of the Staatsinstitut fiir Allgemeine
Botanik, Hamburg, and to Dr. W. Domke, Curator of the
same institution, for providing me with laboratory space
in their institution and for arranging for the transpor-
tation of material.
UROSTACHYS ORIONIS Herter, Index Lycopod. 73. 1949.
Costa Rica: Erect among small bushes in péramo, among Sphag-
um, Cerro de las Vueltas, Prov. San José, alt. 2700-3000 meters,
Dee 29, 1925-Jan. 1, 1926, Standley § Valerio 43611, 44004, 4400
Gansiden under shrubs on open rocky slopes above cloud- forest
area, Paramo de Cerro de la Muerte, Cordillera de Talamanca,
oe ieee alt. nee meters, Mar. 30, 1949, L. O. Williams
me Errxssoni Herter ex Nessel, Rev. Sudamer. Bot. 6:
19
GUATEMALA: Voledén Tajumulco, Dept. mae gen alt. 3800—
4000 bape Feb. 16, 1940, Steyermark 3577
82 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Costa Rica: Among Sphagnum in péramo, Cerro de las Vueltas,
Proy. San José, alt. 3000 meters, January, 1926, Standley 43613
**Orillas de una fuente en las faldas,’’ Voleén Turrialba, 1938,
Orozco 136.
The plants bear adventitious roots, and are ascending,
and not pendent, as stated on one of the labels. Perhaps
only a growth-form of U. orionis.
UROSTACHYS BLEPHARODES (Maxon) Herter, Index Lycopod. 53.
Costa Rica: Near the ‘‘finca,’’ southern slope of Voledn de
sae ti ate 2000-2400 meters, Feb. 22, 1924, Standley 35264,
5288.
Urostacuys chamaeleon Herter, sp. nov.
rrestris sive subepiphyticus. Radices apt
paioicoraiaa: brunneae, 6-8 em. longae. Frons erecta,
postea serpentiformis, flexuosa vel eetrpeudiia. ter vel
quater bipartita, rigida, sordide-vel brunneo-viridis, 2—5
dm. longa, 8-13 mm. foliis inclusis lata. Caulis basi
rigidus, diam. 1-3 mm. foliis exclusis. Folia 10—12-faria,
densissima, caulem t tegentia, regulariter patentia vel re-
flexa, brunnea, linearia, coriacea, lucida, margine integro
revolu ta, acuminata, 5-8 mm. longa, 0.3 mm. medio lata,
basi vix 0.5 mm. lata. Sporangia per totam a plantam
distributa, usque ad 1 mm. longa et 1.2 mm. lata.
Type in the U. S. National Herbarium, no. 1 ,307,684,
collected at Barranca Grande, near San Marcos, Costa
Riea, February, 1926, by Otén Jiménez
ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Erect on wet mos sy bank,
Cerro de las Caricias, north of San Isidro, Prov. Heredia, alt. 2000-
2400 meters, Mar. 11, 1926, Standley § Valerio 52083. Cerros de
Zurqui, northeast of Ser cere Prov. Heredia, alt 2000-2400
meters, Mar. 3, 1926, Standley § Valerio 50451. Ia Palma, Prov.
San José, alt. 1500 leis ct 31, 1936, Valerio 2236.
Distinguished from the other species of the relation-
ship of Urostachys reflexus by the crowded, very slender
but tough, untoothed, shining leaves and the extraordin-
arily great variability of the forms.
UROSTACHYS REFLEXUS (Lam.) Herter, Beih. Bot. Centralbl, 392:
249, 1922.
CENTRAL AMERICAN UROSTACHYS 83
Costa Rica: Las Nubes, Prov. San José, alt. 1500-1900 meters,
Pity 20-22, 1924, Standley 38360, 38387
UROSTACHYS PARVIFOLIUS Herter ex Nessel & Hoehne, Arch. Bot.
Estad. Sao Paulo 2: 395 (seors. 41), t. 10, f. 2. 1927
Costa Rica: Along the cart-road between Vara Blanca ate La
wee alt. 1600-1950 meters, July 23, 1923, Maxon § Harvey
Urosnsoms PRINGLEI See & Lloyd) Herter ex Nessel, Bar-
lappg 131.
MEXICO: Gacpeepes, “Ching, on trees, 1904 (?), Miinch 81.
Baduitz, Chiapas, Miinch 9 s. On exposed oi utes Gara
Veracruz, alt. 1500 meters, hae 1, 1938, Copelan
UROSTACHYS CHIRICANUS (Maxon) Herter ex Nessel, Baap.
' oe sean
AM piphyte 3 feet long, vicinity of El Boquete, aie
de cee a ca. 3100 meters, July 18, 1938, Davidson 1
UROSTACHYS MANDIOCANUS (Raddi) Herter, Repert. ca Nov.
edde 19: 164. 1923.
a. Bank of Rio Dulce, July 21, 1936, W. R. Hatch §
C. L Wilson 5
URosTAcHYsS DicHoTOMUs (Jacq.) Herter, Beih. Bot. Centralbl.
392; 249, 1922,
Costa Rica: On tree in wet forest, Cerro de las Caricias, north
of San Isidro, Prov. Heredia, alt. 2000-2400 meters, March 11,
1926, Standley & Valerio 52067.
UrostacHys SCHWENDENERI Herter, Repert. Sp. Nov. Fedde 19:
165.. 1923,
Dominican REPUBLIC: On tree trunks, slope of Pan de Aziecar,
Peninsula de Sa seee Prov. Saman4, alt. 400 meters, May 4, 1930,
L. Ekman H.14
UROSTACHYS ceaturtoaibie Herter, sp. no
Planta epiphytica, Frons calahila, subflaccida, quater
vel quinquies bipartita, apice subflexuosa, pallide brun-
iridis, 2-6 dm.
tentia, basalia lineari-lanceolata, subapiculata, subplana,
12 mm. longa, 1.5 mm. lata, apicalia subearinata, 3-5
mm. longa, 1.5 mm. lata. Caulis debilis, 0.5-1 mm. latus
foliis exclusis. Sporangia 1.5 mm, longa lataque.
84 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Type in the U. 8. National Herbarium, no. 861,309,
collected in Costa Rica, 158 i special locality, March,
1908, by Robert Ridgeway (s.
bisbh up of U. myrsinites. Probably the same as the un-
described Lycopodium costaricanum Rosenst. (based on
Tonduz 17614) that I mentioned in my description of
U. Killipti (Herter 1953: 128).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Herter, W. 1949-50. Systema Lycopodiorum. Revista Sudamer.
Bot. 8: 67-86. 1949; 93-116. 1950. Estudios Botdnicos
en la Regién Urognaya, no. 21).
19 Neue und kritische hochandine Urostachys-
Arten. Revista Sudamer. Bot. 10: 110-129.
Shorter Notes
THE Houiy-rern, CyrromiumM FALCATUM, OUTDOORS IN
Out0o.—In the summer of 1956 Mr. Harold Boystel, a
florist of Lancaster, Ohio, discovered a plant of the
Holly-fern (Cyrtomium falcatum, sometimes known as
Polystichum faleatum) growing on the outside wall of
the greenhouse at the Boys’ Industrial School, five miles
south of Lancaster. The exact location is on the south-
western edge of section 36, Hocking Township, Fairfield
County, Ohio. The fern is growing on the sandstone
foundation of the greenhouse on an eastern exposure,
partially protected by a planting of boxwood. The fern
came up spontaneously, and survived the winter of
1956-57. It has continued to increase in size, and when
examined in August, 1957, it was fruiting freely. Mr.
from its spores. A fragment of the fern was collected
and deposited in the U. S. National Herbarium.—
Cares R. Gosuin, 726 East King St., Lancaster, Ohio.
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VoLuME 48, PLATE 10
CYRTOMIUM FALCATUM ON WALL OF Boys’ INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL,
LANCASTER, OHIO
86 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM AGAIN.—In the last
number of volume 47 of the Fern Journal, Dr. MeVaugh
reports Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum from Mexico, cit-
ing a Cyrus Pringle collection and one of his own from
the state of Chihuahua. I can now add a third report,
my no. 597, which was collected on the road between La
Bufa and Creel, Chihuahua, on September 25, 1957.
Creel is a railroad station at the end of the line in south-
western Chihuahua. Its altitude is 2340 meters (7677
feet) and its location is 107° 38’ W. and 27° 45’ N. The
rocks are of igneous origin and the topography is very
rugged and spectacular. Pines are the dominant arboreal
species. The ferns in question, three small plants to be
exact, grew in a tiny pocket in a huge block of rhyolite
rock. The entire area is rich in unusual species of ferns,
such as Pellaea allosuroides and Notholaena Weather-
biana; the latter has been known only from the type,
which was collected at some unspecified locality in south-
western Chihuahua.—Irvine W. Knosiocu, Michigan
State University, E. Lansing, Michigan.
Recent Fern Literature
A New Fern Fiora or Japan.1—Floras of J apan that
are usable by people that can not read Japanese are as
yet practically non-existent, although illustrated floras
with Japanese texts are fairly common; in fact, there
are some excellent works of this kind, some with superb
colored plates. The present Flora, although wholly in
Japanese, contains 68 excellent habitat photographs of
ferns in black and white, which make this a work of
interest to western pteridologists. The text is a transla-
tion of a manuscript originally written in English by
Dr. Ohwi, of the National Science Museum, Tokyo, which
1 Flora of Japan: Pteridophyta. By Jisaburo Ohwi. pp. 1-164,
45 60). Shibundo, Tokyo, Japan, 1957. Price 1300 yen (about
ReEcENT FERN LITERATURE 87
will be incorporated in the forthcoming English edition
of his Flora of Japan, which he himself has translated,
and which is being edited by Dr. Fred Meyer, of the
Department of Agriculture, and the first reviewer. The
original Japanese edition of this Flora (1953) covered
only the seed-plants, but when an English edition was
considered the author prepared this additional treatment
in order to cover all the vascular plants. However, the
delay in issuing this English edition, and the fact that
it would not meet the needs of the Japanese people, led
to the issuing of this Japanese version of the pteridophyte
portion.
Although Dr. Ohwi is not a special fern student, he
has had many years’ experience with ferns of Japan.
When the professional pteridologists Professor Motozi
Tagawa and Dr. H. Ito were unable to prepare the needed
treatment, Dr. Ohwi undertook the task himself, attempt-
ing to steer a middle course. His treatment is designed
as a practical manual and not as a technical revision.
The family and generic delimitations follow Copeland’s
Genera Filicum closely. There are keys, accepted names,
Synonyms, and descriptions, but no literature citations
(except in the a formal transfers in footnotes) nor
citations of specimens.
Fern students m4 the United States would recognize
many species of Japanese ferns, for there is a notable
similarity between the flora of Japan and that of the
eastern United States. They would, for instance, find
Matteuccia struthiopteris, Onoclea sensibilis, Woodsia
ivensis, W. glabella, Polystichum Braunui, P. Lonchitis,
Dryopteris fragrans, D. austriaca, D. Filix-mas (in the
varietal form or closely related species D. crassirhizoma),
D. Thelypteris, D. disjuncta, D. Phegopteris, Asplenium
Ruta-muraria, A. Trichomanes, A. viride, Phyllitis
Scolopendrium, Camptosorus (in the closely related
species C. sibiricus), Athyrium Filiz-femina, A. al-
88 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
pestre, Polypodium virginianum, Pteridium aquilinum
var. latiusculum, Cryptogramma crispa, C. Stelleri,
Adiantum Capillus-veneris, A. pedatum, Botrychium
Lunaria, B. lanceolatum, B. multifidum, B. virginianum,
Ophioglossum vulgatum, Osmunda Claytoniana, O. re-
galis (in the closely allied variety or species japonica),
O. cinnamomea (in the variety, or species, asiatica),
Selaginella selaginoides, and almost all the species of
Lycopodium and Equisetum.
A relationship with the western United States is less
apparent. The xerophytic genera Notholaena, Cheilan-
thes, Pellaea, and Pityrogramma are absent. Still, a
relationship is shown through such species as Blechnum
mipponicum, which is closely related to the northwestern
American (and European) B. spicant, Woodwardia
japonica, allied to the western American W. fimbriata
and the European W. radicans, and ‘‘Lastrea quelpaer-
tensis,’’ which is usually considered only a variety or
forma of the western American and European Dryopteris
oreopteris.
Nevertheless, Japan is much richer in ferns than is the
United States. There are representatives of many char-
acteristically tropical genera as Elaphoglossum, Angiop-
teris, Bolbitis, Cyathea, Pyrrosia, Davallia, Lindsaea,
and many others. It tay be pointed out that the genus
called Phanerophlebia in this Flora, following Copeland,
should be known correctly as Cyrtomium,? and that the
name Lastrea is not correct, being antedated by Thelyp-
teris.®
This book is excellently printed on high grade paper,
and is sturdily bound in green buckram, a tribute to the
Japanese art of bookmaking. Criticisms of the botany in
this Japanese version will be gies considered in editing
2 Cf. Morton, This JourNAL 47: fd
3 A fe cora ‘to conserve batten in the sense of Copeland and to
reject Thelypteris was rejected by the Nomenclature Committee
appointed by ae International Botanical Gonvtoas at Stockholm.
ReEcENT FERN LITERATURE 89
the coming English edition, and may be relayed to the
author through the reviewers.—E. H. WaukKer and C. V.
Morton, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.
A REVISION OF THE FERN GENUS PELLAEA, SECTION
PELLAEA’ is a wholly admirable taxonomic account—
concise, accurate, and informative. Mrs. Tryon has
studied her group in the traditional herbarium manner
and also in the field and greenhouse. Whenever possible,
chromosome counts (by Dr. Donald Britton) were made
to clarify relationships. The results are definitive
enough to be of permanent value. It is unfortunate that
at least some comparative studies could not have been
made with species belonging to other sections of Pellaea,
but very likely that would have extended the study be-
yond the bounds of a doctoral thesis, which this is. In
these circumstances though, when relationships within
the genus are not mentioned or known, it does seem a
little inapropos to be discussing possible relationships
with Cheilanthes and other different genera.
The species treated are arranged in two (unnamed)
groups, according to the color of the stipes. The group
with dark (castaneous to black) stipes is further sub-
divided as to whether the rhizome scales are concolorous
(with a solid color), which includes P. atropurpurea,
P. glabella, and P. Breweri, or bicolorous (with a dark
central stripe), ie. P. ternifolia (including var. Wright-
tana), P. longimucronata, P. mucronata, and P. brachyp-
tera (mostly from the United States). The other group,
with stipes and rhachises straw-colored to ruddy brown,
is Subdivided into a subgroup with a stout rhizome (and
concolorous scales) (P. sagittata, and its var. cordata,
P. notabilis, and P. Pringlei, mostly Mexican), and a
subgroup with a creeping, cord-like rhizome, further
divided into species having bicolorous scales (P. ovata,
1 By Alice F. Tryon. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 44: 125-193, 1957.
90 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
P. wmtermedia, and P. a lifola tly United
States) and concolorous weaiee (P. myjrtilitfolia, Chile,
and P. rufa, South Africa).
Perhaps the principal interest attaches to the studies
of P. atropurpurea and P. glabella. I, and some other
botanists, have considered the latter as only a variety of
the former. Mrs. Tryon considers them as distinct
species. Although she has not adduced any new dis-
tinguishing characters, her careful work should be ac-
corded due consideration. It still is somewhat a matter
of opinion, for the cytological evidence is not conclusive.
It appears that atropurpurea is a sterile triploid (n = 87),
and Mrs. Tryon suggests that it originated as a hybrid
between P. ternifolia and some other unknown species ;
the species can be propagated from spores, but the pro-
thallia produced on germination are not truly ‘‘gameto-
phytic,’’ for they have the somatic number of chromo-
somes, and the new ‘‘sporophytes’’ are produced from
the prothallia adventitiously and are not the result of the
fertilization of sex-cells; this type of reproduction is
known as apogamy, and occurs in hybrids and other
plants having an unbalanced chromosome complement.”
The typical eastern P. glabella is also a sterile, apogamous
hybrid (a tetraploid, n = 116), and Mrs. een considers
that it perhaps arose as a hybrid between P. atropurpurea
(already a hybrid) and the western P. pumila (which is
a diploid, n=29). In dealing with complex issues like
these, involving sterile triploids and tetraploids, taxo-
nomic practice has not yet been standardized. Mrs.
Tryon’s treatment is a little inconsistent. If the hybrid
P. atropurpurea is regarded as a distinct species, then
P. glabella should be also, but Mrs. Tryon makes P.
8. Tryon’s interesting observations is that apogamous
ever: nae fies bilateral (monolete) spores, 32 to a sporangium,
and that the sexually fertile hose have smaller, i aapetgelae
hoirat (trileteé) spores, 64 to a sporangium, a difference due, 0
course, to the latter having undergone a second, reduction division.
Notes AND NEwSs 91
glabella and P. pumila conspecific, the latter as P. glabella
var. occidentalis: But if glabella is really an interspecific
hybrid it is hardly possible to class it as a variety of
one of its parents and not the other. The matter is
further complicated by the existence of a fourth entity,
P. Suksdorfiana, which I called P. atropurpurea var.
simplex, and which Mrs. Tryon ealls P. glabella var.
simplex, which is also a sterile, apogamous tetraploid
(n=116) but a different one from typical glabella. The
existence of these complicating western variations is the
reason I referred all of them to the single species P.
atropurpurea, even though glabella seems reasonably
distinct when the eastern material is considered alone.
The matter is highly debatable.-—C. V. Morton
Notes and News
ApvANCE PLANS FoR A 1959 Fretp-TrIp.—A number of
field-trips are being planned in connection with the Ninth
International Botanical Congress to be held in Montreal,
August 19-29, 1959. The details of these trips have to
be worked out well in advance. A tentative arrangement
has been reached with Dr. Harold A. Senn, Chairman
of the Field-trips Committee, for the American Fern
Society to join with Trip 19, which is a three-day trip
immediately after the Congress, August 30, 31, and
September 1. This trip will consist of visits to labora-
tories and herbaria in Ottawa, certain social events
A minor misapprehension that might be noted is the statement
ow. J. Hooker e geese ge hig hots characters as diagnostic
for he arranged these species n Pellaea according to the division
of the blade.” Hooker, os his Bodice Filicum, habitually arranged
his species according to the division of the blade in all the genera,
from simple blades to the deecompound ones. It was a purely
artificial arrangement for convenience and no conclusion can be
rawn from it as to Hooker’s opinion on the relative value of
diagnostic characters in the genus Pellaea
92 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
scheduled for the visit of botanists to the Canadian
capital, and a day’s botanizing slanted toward ferns in
the general region of Ottawa, both on the Quebec and
Ontario sides of the Ottawa River. The leader of this
trip will be Mr. W. J. Cody, the author of the recent
book ‘‘Ferns of the Ottawa District.’?! The area is rich
in interesting ferns. The total cost of the trip will be
very moderate, probably about $25.00.
Fern Society members that either definitely or tenta-
tively would like to take this trip are urged to write to
Dr. Senn (Botany Laboratory, Science Service Building,
Ottawa, Canada) and make a preliminary registration,
and ask to have their names placed on the mailing list
for the Congress.—C. V. Moron.
ORGANIZATION OF THE Los ANGELES Fern Socmty.—
The newly formed Los Angeles Fern Society was organ-
ized March 7, 1958, with 23 members present at the organ-
izing meeting. Another 18 charter members are expected
to join. A set of By-laws, written up by Mrs. Muriel L.
Merrell, was adopted, one of the provisions of which is
that all elected officers must be members in good standing
of the American Fern Society. Dr. W. C. Drummond
was elected President, Mrs. Sylvia Leatherman, Vice-
President, and Mr. George Getze, Jr., Treasurer-Secre-
tary.
The purpose of the Society is to further interest in
ferns in the Los Angeles area both from a horticultural
and scientific viewpoint. To this end, a lending library
is being set up and a spore exchange. Plans have been
made for meetings every six weeks and for a series of
field-trips. Mrs. Barbara Joe Hoshizaki has been ap-
pointed Program Chairman. Mr. Van Groot is in charge
of membership.
We wish the new organization well. Active local
groups can do much to promote interest in ferns, includ-
1 Reviewed, This Journa 47: 111. 1957.
Notes AND NEWS 93
ing the conservation of wild plants and the introduction
of new ones into cultivation —C. V. Morron.
MempBer Honorep.—Our member, Dr. W. C. Drum-
mond, was honored at a luncheon March 13 in Hollyhock
House, Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles, for his work in
preparing and classifying 140 specimens of ferns for
exhibition in the Nature Museum in Griffith Park. The
exhibit was opened to the public on March 14.
New Mempersuipe List.—A new membership list (by
the multilith process) of the American Fern Society was
issued in April. It shows a total of 696 members as of
March 1, 1958, but since that time a number have joined
and the total membership as of April 28 was 721. If
any members have failed to receive a list they may re-
quest one from the undersigned—C. V. Morton.
Spore ExcHaNGeE Invirep.—Mr. Charles J. Felix (Sun
Oil Production Research Laboratory, 503 North Central
Expressway, Richardson, Texas) has samples of spores
of a hundred or more species of ferns, many of them
tropical or Old World, that he is willing to exchange for
named specimens of spores. These spores have all been
killed by chemical treatment and are for scientific study
only and not for growing.
ExcuHance Invrrep—Mr. Tomitaro Namegata, 481
Narita, Narita-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan, is desirous of ex-
changing specimens of Japanese ferns for American ones.
Members interested may contact him directly —C.V.M.
A British DEALER IN FERN Spores.—Major V. F.
Howell, Fire Thorn, Oxshott Way, Cobham, Surrey,
England, has sent us an unusual catalog offering seeds
of a number of rare orchids and Gesneriaceae and spores
of a selection of rare ferns, including such unusual items
as Hemionitis arifolia, Doryopteris {Pteris| palmata,
94 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Adiantum macrophyllum, Diplazium proliferum, D.
polypodioides, and Todea barbara. Members may be
interested in writing for his catalogue. Major Howell
writes me that for the nominal sum of $1.00 to cover
expenses he will send a selection of spore-bearing fronds
of native ferns from North Devonshire to any members
wanting to try growing British ferns——C. V. Morton.
Mr. Thomas 8. Constantine, 72 Terrace, Katonah, New
York, has a complete set of the American Fern Journal
for sale. Members interested can write him regarding
the price.
American Fern Society
Report OF THE SporE ExcHance.—The Spore Ex-
change in 1957 had times of activity and times of quiet.
Highty-nine letters were received from 43 members of
the Fern Society and well over a hundred went out, as
well as 60 lists of available spores. This amount of
correspondence bespeaks a considerable interest in the
exchange, although it seems that only about half of the
people requesting the list followed up with requests for
spores. During the year 201 packets of spores were sent
to 26 people.
The disappointing part of this report is that only 13
members contributed spores or fertile leaves to the ex-
change, altogether 40 packets having been received, a
decrease partly to be attributed to the loss of Harold
ugg, who ever had the exchange in mind and con-
tributed many packets each year. I myself renew the
supplies of the commoner eastern species each year, and
so almost all the spores listed last year are still available
and probably still capable of germinating. In some cases
the supply is very limited or exhausted.
The need therefore, if the exchange is to continue to
grow and serve the members, is for more members in
various parts of the country to watch their ferns at
AMERICAN FERN SOcIETY 95
home and in the nearby native habitats to gather spores
at the right time and to send them.
It should be emphasized again that growing ferns from
spores is a rewarding experience. Little trouble or ex-
pense is involved, little experience required, and the
resulting fern specimens perhaps give more satisfaction
and pride than would specimens purchased or trans-
planted —KatTuryn E. Boypston, Fernwood, Route 3,
Niles, Michigan.
New MEMBERS
Mr. laren M. Addison, 1585 Cherry Glen Way, San Jose 25,
Califor
Mr. cae fake Pc Ba of Botany, University of California,
Berkeley 4, Califo
Mrs. Rena Allen 1156 North Beverly Boulevard, Tueson, Arizona
Miss Karen S. Alt, Rancho Santa Ana Bot nie Garden, 1500 North
College Avenue, Claremont, Califo
Mrs. Ferne Carter Ames, 19331 Aes ieee Tarzana, ~
Dr. Edward P. Bagg, 207 Elm Street, pec sa Massachusetts
Miss Hazel E. Baker, 7654 Central Avenue, Lemon Gro a lif.
Mrs. F, L. Ballard, Jr., 149 Northwestern on, Philadelphia 18, Pa.
Miss ong D. Bandettini, 143 Palmer Avenue, Mountain View,
Calif
Mrs " Viola ‘Aust tin, Edgewood, low
Dr. Ralph H. Benedict, 3106 pies Street, Rockford, Illinois
Mr. Ronald E. Blackwell, 2525 North Park Blvd., Santa Ana, Calif.
Mr. Ray Bloemer, 11144 West Fourth Street, Seite Ana sue
Mrs. F. Jewell Coyne, ¢/o Alfred W. Roberts, 10136 capes
Boulevard, Los Angeles 34, Califor
Mrs. Kathryn Eastman, 128 Chri oper ‘street Columbia, Mo.
Mr. Austin Murray Evans, Barnard, Verm
Mr. George F. Evans, 4030 Warnes eae a: Diego 9, California
Mr. George E. Freeman, 1675 Garnett Lane, Concord, California
Mr. George Getze, Jr., 1121 Azalea Drive, Alhambra, California
Mrs, saruieitig Horton Grant, 5521 Ameston Ave., nests, Calif.
Mr. H. Gross, 16621 Madison, Cleveland 7, Ohio
Mr. Arnold Hall 1170 Fifth hate New ede 29, New Yor
Mrs. Haldor E. Heimer, D.C.C.M / , Belgian mast
Africa
96 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Mrs. Josiah M. Hewitt, Twin Beeches, Holmdel, New Jersey
Miss Tees Hougardy, 625 South Baywood Avenue, San Jose 28,
Califor
Mr Kunio “Twat, Department of Botany, Kyoto University,
Kyoto, Jap
Mrs. J.C. Fen 6807 DeLongpre Avenue, pate i Calif.
Mrs. Thomas B. Jones, 1131 Prescott Street, McKeesport, Pa.
Mrs. Darwin P. Kings i argh Club Ro nes New Canaan, Conn.
Mr. Art eek man, 631 h Fair 5 iy sbe e Californie
nas ne pikari 103 Wet Buildi e Cha rles A rigpe
. Lyon
Mr. Marion Makely, 2040 Newport Bo ais evar ® oes ta ‘Meus; Calif
. Arnold L. Ma i
edham
Mr. Arthur R. Modler, 6666 Garber eee Dayton 15, Ohio
ock 8 Sou e Avenu
Mr. Dudley L. Parsons, 55 aiecgtce: pele Chappaqua, New York
Mr. Clifford L. Peasley, 7324 N. Washburne, Portland 17, Oregon
Mrs. Francis C. Reed, Llewellyn Park, West Orange, New Jersey
Mrs.
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Mr. J. M. Rowse, 477 Pettis Avenue, Mountain View, Ronee
Mr. Robert A. Seward, 2839 Yard Street, Oroville, California
Mrs. Raymond Deane Sherman, West 1123 Sixteenth Ave., Spokane
41, Washington
Prof. Tae — Department of Botany, University of Kyoto,
Kyoto,
Mrs. G. if Pattok 7114 West 35th Street, Berwyn, Ilino
Miss pane: Gower Was, 12792 Newport Avenue, iat Calif.
n
Mrs. Baward L. Wharton, 50 James Street, Newark 2, New Jersey
Mr. Charles H. Young, Jr., 1136 New Hampshire, Lincoln, Neb.
CHANGES oF ADDRESS!
Mrs. O. S. Bryant, Jr., 3470 Afton Avenue, Paducah, Kentucky
Dr. Charles E, DeVol, no. 11 Lane 284, Wu Feng Road, Chiayi,
aiwan, Free Chi
Mrs, Mary F., pecngestie 1015 Harrison Street, Superior, Wis.
Dr, Julian A. Steye rmark, 494 North Hill Drive, Barrington, Il.
1 Only changes subsequent to the new membership list are noted.
HENRY GEORGE FIEDLER
Scientific Books and Periodicals
HENRY TRIPP, PROPRIETOR
Large stock of books on ferns
and cryptogamic botany
31 East 10th Street, New York 3, N. Y.
CASTANEA
Published by the
Southern Appalachian
Botanical Club
Devoted to the botany of the interesting Southern gg Soe EET
Published Quarterly. Soe subseription, including membership
in the Club, $3.0
Address
Soe Earu L. Corg, Editor
Virginia University
iocnisen West Virginia
I specialize in
HORTICULTURAL BOOKS from
WARM COUNTRIES
Send for free lists
EDWIN A. MENNINGER
The Flowering Tree Man —
‘Stuart, Florida
_———— oe
ee e S ern d
THE PREPARATION
OF BOTANICAL SPECIMENS FOR
i 3 or sé our THE HERBARIUM
FREE COPY ik jommerene
of this
Helpful See
Treatise: |
“THE PREPARATION OF
_ BOTANICAL SPECIMENS
FOR THE HERBARIUM”
Dr. I, M. Johnston, of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard ee
_ has generously shared the nt A eee and | puCCHaaIE €xpete
ence in the collection and preparation of plant
Help for the amateur sa a hints for the professional col-
lector, abound in in this thirty-six easy gt eg in which Dr.
Jot time tested jockaicass for pressing, ng and
mounting herbarium m: aterials. | (aaa Geos methods are uttined fo for
_ treatment of aquatic flowering ts, .
lichens and lee. Specific suggestions are —— for record ni a
2 One copy of treatise is yours for the ay To pode:
be ‘eeeded ded samples of Botanical Pap Papers (Driers, Mi
and ie wig as well as data on Collecting Cas Cases, Fi Fi Field id roves ze
Plant Presses, pecimen ounts, Botanical
- Just ask for “a copy of the Johnston teats”
- eaEosce SCIENTIFIC COMPANY
si 37 ANTWERP STREET _@ BRIGHTON STATION
BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A.
Vol. 48 July-September, 1958 No. 3\/
American Hern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
ae
EDITORS
Cc. V. MORTON
R. C. BENEDICT IRA L. WIGGI
A. C. SMITH
URI SOTAP + oe
a]
Kec veg
OCT 2 $1958
Bad
CONTENTS
Isoétes in Eastern Canada |
JAMES H. Soper AND SATHYANARAYANA RAO 97
Physiological Studies with Azolla under Aseptic Condi-
tions. I. Isolation and Preliminary Growth Studies
Louis G. NicKELL 103
* New Jainsioan Species of Ctenitis ... ‘Guorce Hi Proctor 108
The Taxonomic Position of Saccoloma
K, U. Kramer 111
An Uaapest Hawaiian Population of Ophioglossum pen-
dulum EUGENE HoRNER 118 aed a
Shorter N : Dryepteris Climonbista in ome pe i é
eyes Station for Adiantum Tracyi re
N. QUEEN sT. AND McGOVERN NAVE, LA NC
matter at the ‘post. offee at | neaster,
_anlfr the Ae"oe Marek S385 en r mailing at
rate of posta ‘or in the Act 7
in Paragraph (3 yBeedon Saad BL «Bat To
Che American Hern Society
Gounril for 1959
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR ° :
Tra L. Wiaeins, Dudley Herbarium, Stanford University, Cali-
fornia Pr esident
JAMES E, BENEDICT, JR., 945 Pennsylvania Ave., N. Ww. tes g-
ton 4, D. C. Vice- sident
MILDRED E. Fav UST, 6s Nephew of Botany, Syracuse University,
Syracuse, New Y
Watter 8S. PHILLIPS ;, Department of Botany, chines of ges
zona, Tucson, Treasurer
Cc. Vz. Morrow, See Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
Editor-in- Chief
OFFICIAL ORGAN
American Fern Journal
TORS
C. V. Moron ......... Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
R. C. BENEDICT
Ira L. ae Dudley Herbarium, Stanford University, Calif.
A. C. Smith ........ Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
An illustrated quarterly devoted to the general study of ferns.
Subseription, $2.35 per year, 5 foreign, 10 cents extra; sent free
to members of the AMERICA N FERN SOCIETY (annual dues,
$2.00; sustaining Gonberhiy. $5.00; life membership, $50.00).
reprints, if ordered in advance, will be scr gi authors
Back volumes $1.50 each, except vols. 1, 38, and 40, $2.25; single ‘
umbers 50 cents C,
“ ne —— to the saa cach of the
Orders for back numbers and ty business communications
be Sa
ore a LIBRARIAN AND CURATOR oF THE HERBARIUM ©
a Dr H. Ww. a Deen ane of sesaae, 5 Ann eso Mich.
American #ern Journal
Vou. 48 OcTOBER- DECEMBER No. 4
Una Foster Weatherby
‘‘*What are you doing here?’ I heard my husband
say to a plant, and I soon discovered he was talking to a
Lespedeza which wasn’t supposed to grow in that part
of the State.... I began to see what I could find. On
glancing up the shaded roadside bank I saw five very
upright fronds which suggested ebony spleenwort. .
I could hardly wait for my husband to finish examining
the plants he was interested in. This really beautiful
fern proved to be the incised form of the ebony spleen-
wort which has only six reported stations in the United
States.’’ This sprightly report some 30 years ago in this
Journal records the joys Una Foster Weatherby shared
in her role of pteridologist’s wife and fern enthusiast.
Long residence in and devotion to New England did not
obscure a warm and vivacious nature disclosing her many
Southern ties. Her father, Arthur Crawford Foster,
journeyed early in his career from Foster’s Settlement in
Alabama to Lee County, Texas, where he taught school
in winter to supplement his law work. He married one
of his pupils, Margaret Ellen Edwards, and on October
11, 1878, their daughter Una Lenora Foster was born.
Later she was to ponder at the singular implication of
the name, for at three her mother’s death left her an
only child. The void was filled by a dear aunt and
grandmother who provided a home in Starkville, Missis-
sippi. There was much activity here around grand-
mother’s grist mill and cotton gin with many cousins,
orchard trees to swing and climb upon, and fine pet cats
[ Volume 48, Number 3, pp. 97-128, was issued October 13, 1958.]
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VoLuME 48, PLATE 16
Pa’
Mrs. Una Foster WEATHERBY
Una Foster WEATHERBY - 131
and chickens. She was an alert, imaginative child, in-
terested in grandmother’s reading in the Bible and clas-
sics and intrigued by the tales of Old Mose, the handy-
man. In this happy environment she developed a vital-
ity which served her later in more austere moments, on
strenuous field trips and long travels abroad.
At fourteen she returned to Texas to live with her
father and step-mother and graduated from the High
School at Haskell. She continued her active program in
this frontier country—bicycling, riding, hunting, fish-
ing, and there was instilled in her a love of freedom and
a fondness for the west-Texas prairie. But such lively
endeavors did not detract from scholastic achievements,
for in 1896 she entered as a sophomore at Baylor Univer-
sity in Waco, and after two years she received a scholar-
ship at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. In the course
of her studies there, she assisted in a bacteriology lab-
oratory and learned the use of the microscope—an ex-
perience she found helpful in later years. She received
a Bachelor of Science degree from Shorter College in the
class of 1899 and returned to Haskell to serve in the
office of Deputy County Clerk. Her interests, however,
were in art rather than business or government. — In
1902 she enrolled in the Eric Pope Art School in Boston,
where for the next two years she attended classes five
and a half days a week and interrupted this schedule
only to teach a summer art class at Woods Hole. Her
objective then became to teach art in a southern college
and to further prepare herself she enrolled in the Nor-
mal Art School in Boston. With this splendid back-
ground and her many talents in art, she made her first
trip abroad. In February, 1910, accompanying her
father she made a three months’ cruise in the Mediter-
ranean visiting Italy, Greece, Syria, Palestine, Egypt,
France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Eng-
land. She returned to Italy the following winter in the
company of an older woman from Hartford, Connecti-
As? AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
cut, also interested in art. While visiting the Uffizi gal-
lery in Florence, they chanced to meet Charles Alfred
Weatherby, also of Hartford, and his mother, and this
foursome toured together through the winter in Rome.
Although Mr. Weatherby returned to his work at the
Gray Herbarium in Cambridge, Massachusetts, their
acquaintance continued through long and frequent let-
ters discussing art, of course, and music, politics, and
poetry as well as the new ideas which were being pub-
lished on philosophy and evolution by Haeckel, Sir Oli-
ver Lodge, Mendel, and de Vries. In answer to her re-
quest to name a plant he indoctrinated a bit for her bene-
fit. ‘‘ Well, we’ll call the Potentilla torment Una' for the
present. That’s sure to be correct as far as it goes. I
perceive you have discovered one of the advantages of
being a botanist. There is no place on earth, barring
the poles and desert of the Sahara, where you can be alto-
gether bored or without congenial oceupation.’’
With his return to Hartford and later hers to Boston,
their letters continued but he was also able to visit her
occasionally bringing plants for her to mount and to
botanize with her in the Chestnut Hill woods. When the
New York publisher Frederick Stokes called upon his
classmate Charles Weatherby to revise and adapt the
English work, Wild Flower Preservation, by Mae Coley,
for the American flora, Una Foster was commissioned to
do a new illustration. Her drawing of Robin’s Plantain,
with various parts enlarged, in the volume issued in Feb-
ruary, 1915, was the first of many she prepared for his
publications. She painted a series of little water-colors
of the Jewel Weed, Impatiens biflora, comparing the
various color forms, and he refers to these in his papers
on the species. They are preserved in the herbarium of
the New England Botanical Club and although painted
some forty years ago retain their bright color patterns
1A pun on the plant name er Fade dugg a former name
for the plant currently known as P. er Ed.
Una Foster WEATHERBY 133
and illustrate her skill in a favorite medium. More
than the artist, she joined him in observing and collect-
ing jewel weeds and a new form platymeris, described by
Mr. Weatherby, was based on a specimen she collected on
a field meeting of the Connecticut Botanical Club, Aug-
ust 13, 1918, at Southbury, Connecticut. The color
forms of various plants were a special interest they
studied together for many years.
On May 16, 1917, Una Lenora Foster became Mrs.
Charles Alfred Weatherby and on their wedding trip at
Lakeville, Connecticut, a little verse he wrote about her
reveals their joys on a tramp through the woods. Such
delightful poems and walks continued through their
happy years. Mr. Weatherby’s articles in Rhodora of-
ten refer to their joint ventures, and herbarium speci-
mens document their trips over most of New England
and in Nova Seotia and New Brunswick. There is an
amusing account of a trip to Long Pond in the north-
eastern corner of Connecticut in which Mr. Weatherby
brightens the botanical record with their adventures in
camping overnight, in trying to collect the copious dew
jeeringly barked at their waterless condition. They
made their home in Hartford, Connecticut, for eleven
years, although Mr. Weatherby continued his work at
the Cray. Herbarium, spending part of each month in
Cambridge. Mrs. Weatherby busied herself at home
mounting the plants he brought, doing some of his typ-
ing, and preparing drawings. The large series of illus-
trations she prepared for his publications are particu-
larly notable for their diagnostic value,.for her object
was not to include photographie detail but to stress the
important characteristics of the plants. She believed
these should be somewhat cartoon-like. They are espe-
cially helpful for comparative purposes in difficult or
little understood groups as Selaginella, Cystopteris,
Polypodium, Notholaena, and in the new species of South
134 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
American ferns he described. She illustrated also for
Harold Rugg and H. C. Ridon in this Journal; three of
her plates were used in the volume on the Ferns of New
Hampshire by Edith Seamman, and she contributed a
drawing of a new species, Ctenopteris punctata, for the
Ferns of Liberia by Winifred J. Harley.
In 1929, with Mr. Weatherby’s appointment to the
Gray Herbarium staff, they moved to Cambridge and
settled in their attractive home at 27 Raymond Street,
a familiar address to visiting dignitaries, botanists, and
students. In 1935, the Botanical Congress in Amster-
dam was an invitation to visit the herbaria and botanical
gardens of Europe as well as the art museums, and on
August 13 they departed for Rotterdam. There was time
to visit Leiden before the Congress and Mrs. Weatherby
was put to work there copying some of the drawings of
the Van den Bosch types. They were inspired at the
Congress by distinguished botanists from all over the
world and by the herbaria they visited at Utrecht, Brus-
sels, Paris, London, Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.
ferns. In order to prepare herself, Mrs. Weatherby
acquired an excellent camera and took lessons in its use,
and in June, 1937, they sailed for Liverpool. They
worked at length in the herbaria at Kew and Paris and
made shorter trips to Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. The
large series of photographs at the Gray Herbarium of
fern types are mainly the result of her work on this trip.
These are of such excellence that it is possible to examine
their smaller detail under magnification.
The cheilanthoid ferns became Mr. Weatherby’s prime
interest and necessitated another trip to Europe in 1939,
chiefly to London, Geneva, and Paris. il
: 146; ‘var ians,
iride, 87; Viviparum v
folium, 31, v. inaequal
31. = lineatum, 3
Asplenium Adinabion -nigrum
2:
ain, 8
Athyrios, 30, 127; al
Bilix- femina. 61, See coe
piked © Bree
a 21; pterorachis, 32 5
n, 127; thelypteri-
oes 30, 127; viritprons, 32
Azolla, 103-108 ; earoliniana, 106
Bailey, Virginia L. & Haro
A Key to Ferns in Weateen Na-
Genet Parks (Rev.), 44
all Fern in Be pi ibe pid pe
Benedict, R. ns as
in Southern “California, "65
Benson, Lym Plant Classifica-
tion (Rev wad
Biry’S: 3 Sidiar Anatomy of In-
dian Aspleniaceae (Rev.), pee
Hobby
Blechnum nipponicum 88;
cant, 61, bittiniem,:
165, 166, v. serratum, 166
Bolbitis, 88
oston Fern, 18, 24-27. 66
Botrychium, 168; boreale, 44;
lanceolatum, Lunaria, 88;
matricariifolium, 44; multi-
fidum, Bes
ginianu
hovantind, "Kathryn ee
teur ae Bern aceon te
or Exchan ghee 9
silaifolium, 61; vir-
"88
nd i
lationship he . “Peculiar Plant
from West Virgin 46
Branscomb, Donald. ey tee y Cali-
fornian Station for Adiantum
Tracyi, A Rare Form of
the De aati: 165
Bridgers, Bernar Techniques
T.
a a Py Row ing of Spores
of F r Artificial Culture,
er eee Species of Thelypteris,
Ger iaieka
sibiricus, 6,
ha 38,
rhizophyllus, 6;
87
39; Gaudi-
thalictroides,
dii shoe Pe
erin 37,
harter Me ae “ Homonid, 45
Ghatige nthes, 2, Ped 88. 118; ala-
bamen “hae 124 ; eerie 45;
fee! —_ a, 50: inte rtexta, 59;
6; Parr
Huxiragiimen palmata, 167
Cibotium Cha 67
Cauatanne” 3
Cornopteris ee 32
sythii-majo an "Mac ie sili,
32; oosora, 82 : parvisora, Bo:
pechen pee at on: i'n opchnee
enuisecta, 32: ifrons,
Correct ae of the Mountain
Fern,
Crane, see Ward. Is It a Hybrid
or a Species ?, 164
ae progres amma crispa, S88;
crenttig. ore
Stel-
arthrothrix,
110;
nif, 32 : dolphinensis,
OG riastaanit 110; hirta,
INDEX TO VoLUME 48
ae oophylla, 110; Warburii,
Cte nopt eris punctata, 134
Cultivation of ferns from spores,
—18, 161-164
140, 141; acumin-
we ae silvaticus, 33; sub-
ennigerus, 35
cyrtomium, 67, 88; falcatum, 84,
Cystopteris, 134
Darea inaequalis, 31
Davallia, S88; canariensis,
chaerophylloides vy. mau uritiana,
emirnensis, 34; fejeen
Ti! _ Goudot jana, Maries!
119 ; mexi-
Diellia, 8,
sem cpt Blam of, 30, 127; esculen-
tum, 30; japonicum, ge 30;
a pea ON cae oly po-
Do pain bier
Doryopteris palmata, 9
Dryopteris, 17, 136, 187: arguta,
61, 136 ; austriaca, 87, 136, 140;
bella, 383; crassirhizoma, Lis
Clintoniana, , 164, 165;
tata, 165; dilatata, 61,
136: disjuncta, 87; Feei, 136,
188; Fil a 8h 186; For-
sythii-majoris, 3 : fragrans, +
intermedia, tees ontana, 145;
nevadensis, 139; oregana, 136,
140; spinulosa, igs cathe sub-
pennigera, 33 5
jay Thely pteris, ST: ‘ oWwar
Dunean, Ellen 8S, Report of Audit-
ing Committee, 55
Elaphoglossum, 88
Equisetum, 68—71, 88, 104; ar-
vense 7: fluvia
Funstonii,
ntermedium
Tc
Moorei, *68 : "prealtum, (0°; : ta-
mosissimum, 68 ; trachyodon, 68
Faust, Mildred, Report of Secre-
tary, 55
173
Ferns as a Hobby in Southern
ear: 65
44
Fosberg, F. R. s on Micro-
aie Pteridophyta, II, 35
ae Bot ns Peter. The Correct
the Mountain Fern,
Glaphyropteris, 141
By. Re ee ee Ce MOS
Diplazium sy ge mg Natarae
tt)
a
‘ silvatica,
s R. The Sentieds:
Cyrtomium ‘tale atum, Outdoors
in Ohio, 84
Harley, Winifred J. Handbook of
ecm Pei ae (Rev.), 126
ard L. Is cig eae
a Hybr Mad 68
; oe
Hemestheum, 144,
Hemionitis arifolia,
Herter, W. Som eicritieal = Fhe’
Centra 1 peoate an of
Urostachys, 8
Heterogonium cyatheifolium, 33
Holly-fern, pg esa faleatum,
hemi be
Horne Bu an Unusual Ha
eatians Population of Ophioglos-
sum pendulum, 1
Horr, W. 1 & Ellen 8. Dune
mere of Auditing Guanes
Humblotiella odontolabia, 33
Identity of Polypodium viride
Gilbert,
Is Bquisetum laevigatum a Hy-
bri
Is It a Hybrid or a Species?, 164
Isoétes, 97, 102; macrospora, 98,
00, 101; murieata, 98, 1 101;
riparia, 98, 100, apres Tucker-
manii, ‘98, 100, 101
Isoétes in ‘Hastern Canada, 97
Joe, Barbara. eg ane Fern in
pg Sone
vated ON copute” Trev), 167;
Pteris "species Cultivated in
California (Rev.), 167
Knobloch, Irving W. Asplenium
Adiantum- nigrum Again, ine
Kramer, he Taxonomic
Position of Saccoloma Wereklei,
astr 88, 140, 144, 145; quel-
paerter
Lindsaea, 118; campylophylla,
34; Chienii, 34; leptophylla, 34;
madagascariensis, 34; micro-
pare, 34: oxyphylla, 34; pli-
cata,
174
Lommasson, R. oh Report of
Judge of Electi 57
Los Angcidn ae Tmaclety. 92
sudnten 61;
nikosense, 125; setaceum, 125
McGre bial rer) aa L. Report of
Treasu
Marsilea, "703, 104,
Mass A 8.
Weak ” Allies of Visginie tiie. ‘f
Matteuccia Struthiopteris
Matuda, BE. Los Helechos Neh ‘valle
de Mexico y Alrededores (Rev.),
rere P.N. & S. C. Verma. Cytol-
gy of my bce ieee ), 125;
Cytology. pe saat an Species
f Gen plen ‘en BA (Rev)
base Se 115, 117; Hookeriana,
118; jamaicensis, 117; spe-
os neae, 117; strigosa f. Mac-
ae 473 Wercklei, 116,
ock, Robert Dry
tein. Clintontana in lilinote” $2
eS enhreck, Robert H. Wal
Weber. An Tneeusl
Por me Asplenium Bradleyi,
Mor cr The Californian
eae of Theis neweie 136; The
wage te 3 kdl PoP ay viride,
75; Observations on ‘Cultivated
ec a
odfrey.
Diplazium japonicum Natural-
ized in Florida, 28
Nephrodium, 144, 145; Boi vinii,
ook nevadense, 139; oosorum, 32;
uber ulum,
Nephrolepis, 2, 5 18, 115; acumi-
nata, nies 1, 22, 24; acuta, 21;
rf
sima- biggrin
24, ev. Fluff.
ple: 26,
Scottii, 36, 27, ev. Smithii, oT
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
ev. ey mdida, 27, cv. Spring-
field, 26, ev. Teddy, ct, Shey
Trevillian, 25,
ev. Whitm
19; superba 20;
Westonii, 20; orga we 26
nian Station for Adi-
"spleenwort from
s at Fernwood
and its Relationship to a Pecul-
me Plant from West Virginia,
New Jamaican Species of Ctenitis,
108
Nickell, 1 Physiological
Studies with Azolla under Asep-
tic Conditions, I. Isolation and
Preliminary Growth Studies, 103
Notes om esia
phyta,
Notes on ‘he Distribution of As-
plenium kentuckiense,
Notholaena, 59, 88, 134; Weather-
6
Obituary: Wilhelm Herter, 168;
Una Foster Weatherby, 129
de ss on Cultivated Ferns,
pecies pe orms of
Neiheokeou. i
Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan:
80, 88, 125, v. pseudopo
pyenostichum, T7— 79
Ophiogioseum vulgatum in Mis
Ormoloma, Tit, is
Osmunda ‘asiatica cinnamo-
nea, 88; Claytoniana, 88; japon-
ica, 8s: regalis,
Pellaea, 59, 88, 89; Pe aple ta
ath sndromedifolia, 90; atropu
tata, 89, v. cordata, 89;
7+
a oe
| ow a
EE
lebia,
Phenaetetic 4
Phyllitis, 2,16; eA ea 87
Physiological Studies with Azoila
INDEX TO VOLUME 48
r serie Conditions,
Taclation P reliminary
Growth Studies, es
Pilularia americana,
Pityrogramma, 88, 161: triangu-
1 mon ceoante: 142,
oreopteris, 142-145 ; Laltnclauen,
pter rioi 145; Scolo-
iride,
he 3 volgate, 6, 15, 77, v. vibeiis
batvetichonulk bella,
nf? dei oebret 144, 145, 185; Pate ett
66, 87; californicum, Dud-
"dlandu-
61, 166, v. imbricans, 59;
etosum,
Proctor, George R. A New Jamai-
ca Is i
a rinigera, , 33; De-
Pteriaium ae gene oe vy. latius-
cul 88, pubescens, 61
Peoria or; j bidgatel, 118
Pyrrosi
Rao, Sathyanarayana & James H.
Soper, Isoétes in Eastern Can-
‘oe Form of aa Deer-fern, =
por
Bh Californian
55; of = ore, rekens oF
Treasurer
Saccoloma, 111; elegans, 111;
Werel:lei, 111-118
jet ryana, 33; pli-
Schaifneria 117
Sch zolegnia leptophylla, 34; oxy-
Schizoloia wren 34: Decarya-
el eptophyllum, 34 5
vans i
Sexpholepia, 15,
116
Selagin ella, 134; piceberey hye
126 ‘aaineinolied: 88; subco
da ta, pape Divpneras: 62
Some ny riti and New Centra
an Species of LN et
Soper, James H. & Sa dings et det rg
ag Teoatse in Eastern Can
175
Sphenomeris camplyophylla, 34
os 168; emirnensis, 34;
Goudot , 34; madagascarien-
sis, ate _mierophs!la, 34
1-18, 161-164
66
N. Manual of
China (Rev.),
Vascular
Yangtze Valley,
125
mveyerniere Julian. Ophioglossum
vulgatum in Missouri, 77
Tardieu-Blot, Mme. Validation of
Some New Combinations, 31
Taxonomic Position of Saccoloma
Wercklei, 111
Techniques Involving the Sowing
of Spores of Ferns for Artificial
yl aes re, 161
Tectaria Decar
Li ro dyguethen i v136. iar, 140, 141,
144; ata, 137, 139, 141:
Feei, 138; limbosp er
cogerreae 137, 130: hotninlin.
38, hie ge Gee 13 ; oreop-
teris, 42, 145 Linenioe
140; te pba 138, 140; berula,
137, 1388; tetragona, ‘14 i
Todea barbara, 94.
Tryon, Alice PF. beat ore of Ferns
(Rev.), — Revision of the
Fer P petined, Section
Pellaea (ier), 89; Una Foster
Weatherb
Una nh Sabena tah 129
Unus _For of Asplenium
braalc 15
Uaneual "Hawaiian Population of
phioglossum pendulum, 118
iposgucty®, 81-84, 168, 169; ble-
pharo ane es, 82; chamaeleon, ee
chiricanus, 83; costaricensis, 8
dicho a mus, 83; ads or BL
gegen de 4 slger rsinites,
84; 81, ao parvifolius,
‘reflexus, 82
83; ‘Prit rate 83;
Schwendeneri, &
Lo wena of Some New Combina-
tic
Verma, S. C. Cytology of Ophio-
glossum ee a
Vern S. N.
Cc sytoloky of eyes od
25; Cytology of Some feaia
Species of Genus Asplenium L.
(Rev.), 125
Wagner, W. F., Jr. Notes on the
Distribution of Asplenium an
tu nse, 39; Report of Curator
ibr: rian,
py ‘i 2 3
Wagner, W. H., Jr. Rt Repear fds EB,
Bo vi Sea ee Hybrid
176 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Spleenwort from Artificial Cul- of Asplenium Bradleyi, 159
ures at Fernwood and its Re- Wiggins, Ira L. Report t of Presi-
lationship to a Peculiar Plant dent, 4
st Vi i 46 Woodsia glabella, 87; ilvensis, 87
Wa Ei: Woodwardia, 167; fimbriata, 59,
Marhien bracts. An Unusual Form 61, 88; japonica, 88; raion:
ERRATA
pene oe line 14: Delete the lec line sae eee Aspleniwm
rum Baker, Journ. Bot . & For
Page 118, panning head: ee oe ae tiy pad “Ophio-
glossum pendulum
age 121, running head: For “Saccoloma Wercklei,” read “Ophio-
glossum pendulum.
HENRY TRIPP
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Large stock of books on ferns
and cryptogamic botany
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Dr. Eart L. Cors, Editor
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“THE PREPARATION OF
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oe PERSANIOM :
Help for the amateur botanist, and hints for the professional col-
lector, abound in this thirty _ page illustr eye — in which Dr.
Johnston describes time d techniques “age preserving and
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treatment of aquatic flo
lichens and ane —— suggestions are — for om i akties
‘in the field; ecord keeping in the
eae a ae ee baa asking. With it will
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American Fern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
EDITORS
C. V. MORTON
R,. C. BENEDICT TRA Il. WIGGINS
A. C. SMITH
BUSINESS PRESS, LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
Contents
- VoLUME 49, NUMBER 1, Paces 1-64, Issurp APRIL -13, 1959
A. H. G. Alston, 1902-1958 : C. Vo Morton 1
: TUN 2
SACS CDE Tia Wena) pe a a . Alice F. Tryon 10
A Range Extension in Arctic Alaska for Bakryehvan lunaria
J. E. Cantlon, W. H. Wagner, and W. T. Gillis 25
The Ferns and Fern-allies of Northern Neck, Virginia
lyde F. Reed 30
Recent Fern Literature 36
Notes an ews: Answer to Dr. Allison; American Horti-
il
American Fern Society: Report of. President ; Report of Secre-
tary; Report of Treasurer; Report of Audit ing Committee ;
Report of Judge of iBioetionia Report of 1958 i trip
VoLUME 49, NuMBER 2, PAGES 65-96, IssuED JuLy 7, 1959
Frederick Louis Fagley, 1879-1959 ..... ........... C. V. Morton 65
The Identification of a Costa Rican Blechnunm .... C. V. Morton 66
The Home of Blechnum Buchtienii in Costa Rica C. K. Horich 69
Remarks on Some 1958 Dealers’ Catalo Ops fate C. V. Morton 72
A Study of the Filmy Fern Trichomanes Boschian
Robert H. Mohlenbrock and John se Voigt 76
A Note on sO oe in Some Indian envieas of
bo ne gd ie Wade ve een P. N. Mehra . S. Bir 86
Mocdect ae Society: Report of pve Bo rath
Report of Spore Exchange, 1958; Summer Field-trip fn
Minnesota Planned 92
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 3, PAGES 97-128, Issugp Sepv. 29, 1959
American Grapeferns Resembling Botrychium ternatum: A
Proliminaty, Renort oo os W.. H. Wagner, Jr. 97
Cytotaxonomic Studies of Some American Species of Dryopteris
. Walker 104
Some New Combinations in Thelypteris ............... V. Morton 113
Ferns and Los Angeles Smog ............... R Benedict 114
Fete in Cutlivation; F232 3407 fe Sylvia Leatherman 116
Recent Field Notes <0 ee Thomas Darling, Jr. 117
Recent Fern Literature
American, Fern Society
carats diernc ateL eae 128
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 4, Paces 129-160, IssuED DECEMBER 30, 1959
Observations on Cultivated Ferns: The Hardy Species of
Tree Ferns (Dicksonia and st pain ae)
a Tryon and Alice Tryon
129
plik pectinatum and P. icnune “bale wicsas or
itidaceae? ma G. Stokey 142
The. Sastsawe of Three Problematic a of Polypodium
eth A, Wilson 147
The Correct Name of the Fern Uniadis vanes a ary
blechnoides Cor. rton 151
Not and News: Exchange Invited; Los aa Pann
153
Boel
American Hors Society: Joining the American Institute of
1
Biological Sciences
Index to Volume 49
157
Vol. 49 January-March, 1959 No. 1
American Hern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIE
R. C. BENEDICT
. C. SMITH
ad
CONTENTS
A. H. G. Alston, 1902-1958 ~..----------- Cc. V. Morton 1
The Fern Dell, Los Angeles ~.------—----~ W. C. DruMMonD 2
Ferns of the ince 0 oe ORR ESO 10
A Range Extension in Arctic ake for Botrychium lunaria_
. E. Cantuon, W. H. WaGNeR, AND W. T. Giuis 25
The Ferns and Fern-allies of Northern suet =
XDE F. Reep 30 :
coer Fern Literature ~..-- ute OO
Notes and News: Answer to Dr. ‘alee! American Saree:
cultural Council .
American Fern Society: Report of President; Report of
_ Seeretary; Report of: Treasurer; !
Committee ; ae of Sees of Elections: “Report of |
1953 eepaanae’ Recess Ae - 48
alae pehanaerin DA
= (N. QUEEN ST. Pe ouere GOVERN AVE. ,LA PAL
second ces matter at, te past, fe ancaste pa ee.
Ei mg ol ge “March 3, 1879 Acceptance fo: mailin pat woecsl a
rate of postage for in the Act Act of Rebroaty 25, Se aut-ines
Paragraph (3) Section 9440 P Bok & Bo i
Che American Hern Society
Council for 1959
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
Ika L. Wicains, Dudley Herbarium, Stanford University, Cali-
for
ornia President
~ JAMES E. BENEDICT, JR., 945 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washing-
ton 4, D. C. Vice-President
Dr. Donaup Hurriteston, Longwood Gardens, Kennett year
Secretary
—— Ss. PHILuips, Department of Botany, Univ —. of ie
ma, Tueson, Arizona Treasurer
C. v. Meiicn: Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D.
Editor-in-Chief
OFFICIAL ORGAN
American Fern Journal
: : EDITORS
C. V. Morton ......... Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
RB. C. Benepict .. . 2214 Beverly Road, Brooklyn 26, N. Y.
Ina L. WiceIns Badieg Herbarium, Stanford University, Calif.
A. C, Smira _... - Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
An illustrated quarterly ¢ devoted to the general study e aig
‘Su pt.
Baek vo 2.00 each; sin single bac k numbers 50 cents each;
ae Canmulastys measly : vols. 1-26, cea Ten per ‘cont discount o
orders of six ¢ volumes or more
Matter for pibbiestiaa shake ag oe to C. iy. Mort
: * ganeaes © nstitution, Washington 25 om
Ree oe for back et ane fics “Guan nnieadions’”
Amprican Bern Journal
Von. 49 JaNUARY—Marcn, 1959 No. 1
A. H. G. Alston, 1902-1958
©. V. Morton
Mr. Arthur Hugh Garfit Alston died suddenly in Bar-
celona, Spain, March 17, 1958.1. He was the youngest
son of the Rev. F. 8. Alston, of Serivelsby, Lincolnshire,
and was educated at Marlborough and at Lincoln Col-
lege, Oxford, where he took an honours degree in Botany
in 1924. After a few months’ study at the Kew Her-
barium, he was appointed Systematic Botanist to the
Department of Agriculture at Peradeniya, Ceylon, where
he remained for several years, preparing a supplement-
ary volume to Trimen’s Handbook to the Flora of Cey-
lon and the Kandy Flora (published in 1931 and 1938).
In 1930, he was appointed Assistant Keeper in the
Herbarium of the British Museum (Natural History), to
take charge of the Pteridophyta, where he remained for
the rest of his life. He quickly acquired a world-wide
knowledge of ferns and their allies, and he improved the
Museum’s collection of ferns to a remarkable degree, not
only by encouraging botanists and explorers of all na-
tions to send in material but also by incorporating pho-
tographs of type specimens deposited in the many
foreign herbaria that he had visited. Botaniecally, he
will be remembered chiefly as an authority on the genus
Selaginella, on which he published many papers. Just
before his death, he had completed an account of the
ferns of West Tropical Africa, which will be published
ater.
1 Most of the following information, kindly supplied through the
Rey. E. A. Elliot, comes from The Times [London], March 28, 1958.
[Volume 48, Number 4, of the JOURNAL, pp. 129-176 was issued
January 20, 1959.]
2 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Alston was himself an enthusiastic traveller and col-
lector. In 1938 and 1939, he made a very large collection
in the Andes of Venezuela and Colombia, and in 1953
and 1954, at the invitation of the Government of Indo-
nesia, he explored Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Celebes.
Nearer home, he made large collections in southern Al-
bania, Greek Macedonia, Algeria, Spain, and Sweden,
and shorter holidays were always spent botanizing in the
British Isles. During the last war he was assigned to the
Ministry of Home Security. In 1946 he was given the
important task of reporting on the state of taxonomic
botany and the botanical collections in some areas of
Germany on behalf of the Allied administration.
Alston put his scholarly mind and profound knowl-
edge of ferns and the history of botanical collectors at
the disposal of countless visitors to London. He was
a member of the Savile Club and of the Athenaeum, and
had been a vice-president of the Linnaean Society of
London and of the Botanical Society of the British Isles.
At the time of his death he was president of the British
Pteridological Society. His loss will be deeply felt,
not only in Great Britain but throughout the world.
The Fern Dell, Los Angeles
W. C. Drummond
The Fern Dell, one of the show places that visitors ask
to see on arriving in Los Angeles, is a part of the Los
Angeles municipal park system. It is located at one side
of mountainous Griffith Park, of which it is a part, and is
not far from the center of the city of Los Angeles and
only about a mile and a quarter from the center of Holly-
wood. It is maintained by the Los Angeles City Recrea-
tion and Park Department, the officials of which are
aware of the great interest that there is in the beauty of
the Dell and who cooperate in every way in furthering
its development. After seeing the Dell, it is little wonder
Fern Dewi, Los ANGELES 3
that visitors come away with a respect for the natural
beauty of ferns as well as for the handywork of man.
The Fern Dell was established in 1912 by Frank
Shearer, who was then Park Superintendent of Los
Angeles. At that time, what is now the Dell was called
Western Avenue Canyon, although it had been called
originally Mocohuenga Canyon by the Indians. It was
Mr. Shearer who first saw the possibility of planting
ferns in the canyon. After removing rocks and tree
stumps, he built a road through the dell in 1914. The
Montgomery Brothers, from New Zealand, were experts
in building rock gardens, and they were hired by Mr.
Shearer to arrange dams and to create terraced pools
through the lower part of the canyon. In 1916, a path
was constructed along the stream and dry rock-walls were
built to retain the earth, in this way creating an ideal
place for the planting of ferns. About this time, Mr.
Walt Lambert was the Assistant Superintendent of Parks,
in charge of the municipal nursery. He also became
interested in the development of the Fern Dell and col-
lected and planted many evergreen ferns suitable for
growing in the climate of southern California. He em-
ployed Mr. Harry Johnson to assist with the work, who
contributed much from his knowledge of ferns gained
while living in Peru and other parts of the tropics. These
men planned the Dell as we know it today.
The Fern Dell proper is about 1,500 feet long and ap-
proximately 300 feet broad; it contains in all about four
and a half acres. It is situated along a winding brook,
with many small waterfalls, along which is a broad,
shaded walk, with benches for resting and viewing the
ferns. Besides ferns, the dell has plantings of many
shrubs and trees, both native and exotic, most of which
are evergreen although a few are deciduous. These trees
provide the shade so necessary for the growth of many
ferns.
The climate of Los Angeles is subtropical, the days in
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VoLUME 49, PLATE 1
VIEW IN THE Fern Dewi, Los ANGELES
FERN Dewi, Los ANGELES 5
3
summer averaging 78° F and in winter 68° to 70°. The
summer nights average 64° and the winter 45°. Mornings
are often cloudy or foggy, but there is sunshine from
late morning to sunset. In the Dell, there is frost about
every 10 to 15 years sufficient to kill tender vegetation.
Slightly elevated locations with good air circulation may
escape the frosts when lower elevations may have it. The
Fern Dell is located at the foot of a mountain and has a
gradual slope and thus good air circulation. The day-
time temperature in the Dell averages a few degrees cooler
than the surrounding built-up territory. The average
annual rainfall is 15 inches, which occurs mostly in the
winter, during the months of December, January, Feb-
ruary and March, although there is occasionally some
rain in November. During the rest of the year, irriga-
tion must be resorted to; in the Dell, overhead watering
is used.
Ferns from all parts of the world are now planted in
the Fern Dell. They are mostly evergreen in the climate
of Los Angeles, and those listed below seem hardy. The
oldest and best-developed are the arborescent kinds.
The Australian Tree-fern, Alsophila Coopert, is perhaps
the commonest and most impressive; at present, these
ferns, planted about 30 years ago, stand 15 to 20 feet tall;
they have usually passed under the name Alsophila
australis in southern California. Those known as Ha-
waiian Tree-ferns belong to the genus Cibotium. They
are imported as bare trunks, devoid of an established
root system ; it takes them a year or more to start crowing.
These trunks arrive in various lengths from three to ten
feet or more. In the Dell they are still in the testing
stages, our plants being about four years old. There are
two species of these, C. Chamissoi and C. Menziesti. They
are also grown from spores, and once established they do
well in the Fern Dell. A related species, the Mexican
Tree-fern, Cibotium Schiedei, is grown from spores; it
eventually reaches a height of 10 to 15 feet, but it is a
6 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
little slow and tender at the start; it is the species most
commonly grown in tubs for ornament. One of the finest
tree ferns is Dicksonia antarctica, which is very hardy
and long grown in the Dell; it forms large crowns.
Two other ferns that are not really ‘‘tree-ferns’’ but
which are somewhat arborescent are the two species
Blechnum brasiliense and B. gibbum (this known also
commonly as Lomaria gibba). They have low trunks up
to 2% feet high, and seem hardy.
Among the attractive larger trunkless ferns are the
Microlepias, both M. platyphylla, a large showy back-
ground fern up to 514 feet high, and the smaller M.
strigosa, which forms large clumps up to 314 feet high;
both species are much planted in the Dell and are among
the most conspicuous plants; they seem hardy. The
Holly-fern, Cyrtomium falcatum, is well established
here, growing 2 to 3 feet high; some of the cultivated
variants are also grown—cyv. ‘Mayi,’ with crested fronds,
ev. ‘Butterfieldii,’ and the Rocheford-fern, ev. ‘Roch-
fordianum,’ with variously cut leaflets; these ferns all
grow well in the Dell; they are evergreen, tufted, with
clumps of erect fronds up to 2 feet high. Several species
of ‘‘shield-ferns’’ and ‘‘wood-ferns’’ are grown. Dryop-
teris atrata (known in the trade mostly as D. hirtipes)
is a tufted, erect fern up to 2 feet high that does best
in shade. Thelypteris gongylodes (also known as Dryop-
teris gongylodes and Cyclosorus gongylodes) grows best
with plenty of light or even in part sun, as does also 7.
dentata (which has passed under the names Dryopteris
dentata, Cyclosorus dentatus or sometimes erroneously
as D. parasitica) ; the latter, sometimes called the Downy
Wood-fern, is tufted yet spreads by stolons; the fronds
are quite erect and up to three feet high. Thelypteris
setigera (Dryopteris setigera) is a beautiful plant with
arching fronds 314 or 4 feet long.
ome of the other important kinds grown in the Dell
are the Leatherleaf-fern, Rumohra adiantiformis (usu-
FERN Dewi, Los ANGELES 7
ally known in the trade as Polystichum coriaceum or
Aspidium coriaceum), with spreading, shining fronds to
21% feet long, which grows well in the Dell but best in
not too dense shade, and Tectaria cicutaria, a tufted plant
to 3 feet high, with viviparous buds that drop off and soon
grow into new plants; the latter also grows best in not too
dense a shade. Ctenitis pentangularis has until recently
been erroneously known as Dryopteris decomposita; it
is a tough, leathery fern, forming nice clumps of a deep
green color; it is lower growing, reaching only about 18
inches. The fern usually known as Polystichum setosum
locally is much used in the Dell; it is dark, shining green,
tufted, and with a spread of 2 to 214 feet; the proper
botanical name remains to be determined.
Several kinds of brakes do well in the Dell, the tallest
and most conspicuous being Pteris tremula, which can
stand much sun, although it does best in the shade; this
kind grows 314 feet high. Another coarser species is
P. vittata (often called P. longifolia), also more or less
a sun plant. Many of the cultivated variants of Pteris
cretica have been tried, among them ev. ‘Parkert’ (Pteris
Parkeri of the trade), which grows 2 to 2% feet high, and
ev. ‘Ouvrardii’ (Pteris Ouvrardii of the trade), lower
growing. The two Cliff-brakes Pellaea viridis (from
South Africa) and P. falcata (from New Zealand) are
low-growing kinds of which many plantings have been
made.
A recent introduction from Mexico, Llavea cordifolia,
seems perfectly at home. Evidently it likes heat, as it
grows best in the summer. It has light yellow green
foliage, 18 inches high in the shade. Polypodium aurewm
(also known as Phlebodium aureum) is normally an
epiphyte in its native habitat in tropical America, but
here it grows in shade under trees in a fibrous soil. An-
other tropical American species, Blechnum occidentale,
forms clumps 14 or 15 inches high; it spreads by stolons.
The European Hart’s-tongue Fern, Phyllitis Scolo-
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 49, PLATE 2
ONE OF SEVERAL BRIDGES ACROSS THE
CREEK IN THE FERN D
Fern Dewi, Los ANGELES 9
pendrium, comes in many forms, all of them low growing ;
it requires shade and does best in limy soils. Another
European introduction is the European Chain-fern,
Woodwardia radicans, which has large, drooping leaves
provided with viviparous buds on the rachis, which may
be used for propagating the plant.
Some of the native Californian ferns are also grown
in the Fern Dell. Among them are the Pacific Sword-
fern, Polystichum munitum, which makes fine specimens
in shade, with dark green, shining, arching fronds,
Dryopteris arguta, the California Shield-fern, which does
best on the hillside without much summer watering, and
the Pacifie Chain-fern, Woodwardia fimbriata (formerly
known as W. Chamissoi), the largest of western ferns,
with fronds up to four feet long similar to those of the
European Chain-fern, but lacking the viviparous buds.
The Western Bracken, Pteridium aquilinum var. pubes-
cens, grows well in the shade and also in the sun; it isa
rather large, coarse plant. The native California Poly-
pody, Polypodium californicum, is not too successful in
cultivation; it usually goes dormant in the summer, and
so only a fais plants are being grown. Polypodium Gly-
cyrrhiza grows naturally in the Dell among the native
shrubs, but it is not cultivated. The Maidenhair-fern,
Adiantum pedatum, is not much grown.
It has been my privilege to act as special adviser for
the Fern Dell in recent years, and I have also assembled
a fern herbarium displaying all the ferns known in eulti-
vation around Los Angeles. This display is housed in the
small natural history museum located in Griffith Park,
near to the Fern Dell; it is open to the public. The Los
Angeles Fern Society, recently organized, of which I
am Vice-President, holds its meetings in the museum on
the fourth Thursday of each month. Visitors are wel-
comed.
1246 North Kings Road, Los Angeles 46, Califorma.
10 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Ferns of the Incas
ALICE F. Tryon?
How do we know the Incas? From reports of the
chroniclers—the soldiers, governors, and priests who
came to conquer, and the subsequent observers; from the
silent testimony of ruins—fortresses, temples, dwellings,
graves, and trash piles; and from the customs and man-
ners of Andean people still remote from modern eiviliza-
tion. All that we know of the ancient Peruvian cultures
is from these three sources. I pursue them in this ven-
ture among the ferns.
A compilation of the plants in the chroniclers’ ac-
counts has been made by Fortunato Herrera and Eugenio
Yacovleff in their paper, El Mundo Vegetal de los An-
tiguos Peruanos. The earliest of these in which a plant,
Maiz, can be recognized with certainty is a letter written
in 1533 by Hernando Pizarro, brother of the conqueror,
Francisco, giving his impressions of the country and
people. I have examined the records cited by Herrera
and Yacovleff containing references to ferns except for
the earliest, an anonymous paper, Relaciones Geograficas
sobre Quito, 1573. Here ‘‘Doradilla’’ is mentioned and
has been identified as Notholaena nivea. In reference
0 ‘‘Trembladera’’ they quote the original work and I
translate—‘‘In the region of Quito there are always herbs
although much taller in warmer places than in cold, and
withered in summer, except an herb called trembladera,
which is more or less a yard in height; it has nodes and
internodes wun to fennel and its branches although
thicker .. .’’ and they identify this as either Equisetum
bogotense't or EL. giganteum. From the general size and
comparison to fennel this would seem to be the latter, or
1 For the use of Peruvian ophong3 archeological collections,
and fern specimens assembled a Pie Univers rsity of California and
the many kindnesses shown me by the Herbarium staff, I am most
grateful.
FERNS OF THE INCAS 11
perhaps E. xylochaetum, rather than the smaller species
E. bogotense.
The chronicler Garcilaso de la Vega, sometimes re-
ferred to as the Inca, for he was the son of an Inca prin-
cess and a Spanish soldier of some rank, wrote the Com-
mentarios Reales issued between 1609 and 1617. A few
but significant plants of the Incas as Ceantu, Cantua
buxifolia, the national flower of Peru, and Palo de Balsa,
Ochroma piscatoria, are included in this account of the
life and customs of the Incas. The herb ‘‘Vifay
Huayna”’ is noted as signifying always young, from its
habit of remaining green for a long time even though dry ;
it is carried only by persons of royal blood. The leaf is
compared to that of the Lily and is placed on the head.
In Quechua, both Lycopodium complanatum and the
orchid Epidendrum ybaguense are called ‘‘Huafiai-
huaina’’ but the comments pertaining to the leaves would
‘seem to identify this as the orchid rather than the mi-
nute-leaved Lycopodium.
Fr. Bernabé Cobo is reputed to be among the best of
the chroniclers for his accounts on natural history. He
resided in Lima and Cuzco, traveling thereabouts and
northward to Mexico. His Historia del Nuevo Mundo
was completed about 1653 but first printed between 1890
and 1893 by the Sociedad de Bibliéfilos Andaluces in
Seville. Among the plants he mentions are *¢«Polipodio,”’
‘*Culantrillo de pozo,’’ ‘‘Doradilla,’’ ‘*Escolopendria,”’
and ‘‘Trembladera.’’ He notes that the roots of ‘‘Poli-
podio”’ are especially used by the Indians as a decoction
with two or three seeds of ‘‘Vilea’’ [Piptadenia colu-
brina] when they are afflicted by phlegm or cholera and
the disposition is relieved with ease and without pain or
nausea. The ‘‘Trembladera’’ he observed grows in
marshes and moist places in temperate lands. Some of the
Spanish impatience with the Indians can be detected in
his comments that they recognize the plants and give them
5
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 49, PLATE 3
ABOVE: CHEILANTHES SCARIC UM FR
WITH SILVERY SCALES. 2 LOW LEFT: pout ¥PODIU M CRASSI-
FOLIUM, “ANCA-PFURUM”: “BIRD-FEATHER, IN snare TO
THE FEATHER-SHAPED FRONDS, IGHT: hart LAEN:
REA, “CUTI-CUTI”; PREPARED AS
SA, “KUMU-K ONDS COVERED
FERNS OF THE INCAS 13
names in their language but have little curiosity about
cultivating them, even though they are useful in their sus-
tenance and in treatments of pain and disease. Herrera
and Yacovleff remark on the difficulty of identifying the
species from Cobo since they are without sufficient de-
scription; they related them to the more conspicuous
species in the flora. The ‘‘Polipodio’’ is indicated as
either Polypodium angustifolium, P. pycnocarpum, or
P. crassifolium. The genus is a large one in Peru, for
in the vicinity of Cuzco there are at least twenty species
with the characteristic polka-dot sori which might be ap-
plied here, and it is likely that several of these species
were used. ‘‘Culantrillo de pozo’’ is identified as
Adiantum Poiretii, ‘‘Doradilla’’ as Notholaena nivea,
and ‘‘ Escolopendria’’ as an Asplenium.
The period of conquest and lust for gold recorded by
the chroniclers was followed by one of exploration in
which the plants were objects of interest. Documenting
these years are the collections and records of the Spanish
botanists Ruiz and Pavén. A captivating account from
the diary of Ruiz reports the Travels of Ruiz, Pavén, and
the French botanist Dombey in Peru and Chile between
1777 and 1788 and notes the uses of many of the plants
they saw and collected. Some 30 species of ferns are
listed among the plants in the region of Tarma and some
uses and Inca names ay given. There is a note on the
kinds of ‘‘Calaguala,’’ including sAasaovands crassi-
folium, which is called ‘‘Puntu-puntu’’ or ‘‘Lengua de
ciervo’’; it was used as an infusion or cto of the
roots for pains of the sides. It was gathered in seas and
sent to Europe under the name ‘‘Calaguala gruesa.’
The notable British authority of this period Sir
Clements R. Markham translated many of the early
manuseripts on Peru and traveled extensively in the
country while superintending the collections of Chin-
chona plants and seeds for introduction into India. His
general remarks on the vegetation are of botanical inter-
14 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
est. The two references to ferns are not sufficient for
determination. He describes the herb vendors at Lampa
in the waded ses of Puno and a fern they sell called
‘*Racci-racci,’’ used as an emetic. While in the valley of
Tambopata, Markham’s Quechua guide pointed out a
small Asplenium called ‘‘Espineu,’’ which has a sweet
taste and is sometimes chewed by the Indians for want
of ‘* Coca
The work of the prominent Peruvian physician
Hermilio Valdizan, in collaboration with Angel Mal-
donado, La Medicina popular Peruana, in 1922, surveys
the medicinal uses of plants in various departments of
the country. Polypodium angustifolium is named as a
kind of ‘‘Calaguala’’ which is prepared as an infusion
of the rhizomes and used in nearly all parts of the coun-
try as a purge, to induce sweating, to curtail fevers,
malaria, and to treat shock. There are several references
to studies of ‘‘Calaguala’’ including that of the botanist
Ruiz. ‘‘Sano-sano’’ is identified as a tree fern Alsophila
from which a glutinous substance exuded from the stems
is gathered and applied to heal wounds or in a decoction
as an astringent. Adiantum Capillus-veneris is recog-
nized as the ‘‘Culantrillo de pozo’’ but it is noted that
several others are taken under this name, used as a di-
uretic and pectoral. Notholaena Fraseri is given as the
‘‘Doradilla’’ (but it is more likely that this is NV. aurea,
because of the scarcity of the former), which is gathered
in the Andean cordillera but used throughout the country
to induce sweating and to treat dropsy. Equisetum
rylochaetum and E. gigantewm are given as species of
‘‘Trembladera’’ or ‘‘Cola de caballo’’ and are used in
the treatment of ulcers, acne, and highly regarded as a
diuretic.
Quechua, the language of the Incas, which still pre-
dominates in the southern highlands, has been the source
of a remarkable number of English words as pampa, a
FERNS OF THE INCAS 15
treeless plain; puma, a cat-like creature; llama, vicuna,
and guanaco, the cameloid animals of the Andes; coca, the
drug plant, and jerk, from charqui, strips of dried meat.
Many Spanish words, particularly of the New World,
have also come from Quechua as papas, potatoes; palta,
avocado; yuyo, weed, and chacra, a small farm
Quechua language has given such plant names as Cantua
buxifolia from Ceantu, Stipa ichu from I’chu, Cheno-
podium quinoa from Quiuna, Peperomia ppucu-ppucu
from Ppueu-ppucu, Calceolaria puru-puru from Puru-
puru, and Gentiana conchalaguala from Conchalaguala.
The fern Polypodium incopcam from Incopcam is men-
tioned by Ruiz.
Studies of Quechua philology by Fortumato Herrera,
his floristic work, and that already noted on the chron-
iclers convey his vibrant interest in the Peruvian abo-
rigines. The Synopsis of the Flora of Cuzco, 1941,
culminates his work on the plants of that area and lists
the following ferns and their applications. Cyathea
cuspidata, ‘‘Sano-sano,’’ the stems and petioles secreting
a mucilage which is employed in healing wounds; Poly-
podium angustifolium and P. pycnocarpum, ‘‘Calag-
uala,’’ ‘‘Ccalahuala,’’ used in medicine as an astringent
and diaphoretic; Dryopteris paleacea, ‘*R’aqui-r’aqui,”’
the young frond tips eaten as salad; Dennstaedtia Lam-
bertiana, ‘‘R’aqui-r’aqui,’’ cultivated for decoration;
Asplenium monanthes, ‘‘Kumu-kumu,’’ used as a i
phoretic ; Cheilanthes ornatissima, ‘‘Kumu-kumu,’’ culti-
vated as an ornamental; Notholaena nivea, ‘‘Inca-sairi’’
r ‘‘Culandrillo de pozo,’’ used as a sudorific and em-
menagogue; Cheilanthes incarum, ‘‘ Inca-cuca,’’ ‘* Kutu-
kutu,’’ the rhizomes and fronds used in an infusion for
bronchitis, chronic hoarseness, and lung diseases; Equi-
setum bogotense and E. giganteuwm, ‘*Mocco-mocco,’’
‘*Cola de caballo,’’ prepared in an infusion as a diuretic.
The first of his papers on Quechua philology is an analysis
16 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
of plant names that are formed by the duplication of the
same radical, like ‘‘Sano-sano’’; it was motivated by the
controversy as to whether such repetition implied that
the plants were of medicinal value. In his analysis,
these names are arranged in groups based on plant mor-
phology—the stem, ‘‘Mocco-moceco,’’ referring to the
joints or knots of Equisetum bogotense; the leaves,
‘‘Kumu-kumu,’’ Cheilanthes myriophylla or Asplenium
monanthes, and ‘‘Kutu-kutu,’’ Cheilanthes incarum.
From this investigation he concludes that there is no
certainty whether such reduplication denoted medicinal
properties of the plants. Another paper organizes the
Quechua plant names into categories based on their essen-
tial properties from which the following information is
obtained. ‘‘Chipi-cuea,’’ Polypodium Buchtienv and P.
subvestitum means ‘‘False Coea,’’ and ‘‘ Anca-pfurum,”’
Polypodium crassifolium, ‘‘Eagle-like bird feather,’’
from the resemblance of the fronds to the feather of a
bird. ‘‘Inea-cuea,’’ Cheilanthes incarum is translated as
‘*Coea of the noble people’’ and ‘‘ Inca-sairi,’’ Notholaena
nivea, as ‘‘ Tobacco of the noble people.’? The names are
also arranged into bi, tri and tetrasyllabic groups, among
which is the fern ‘‘ Chirumpi,’’ Adiantopsis radiata, culti-
order. From these papers it appears that the Quechua
name for fern is ‘‘R’aqui-r’aqui’’ and the following are
called by this name: Dennstaedtia Lambertiana, Dryop-
teris paleacea, D. subandina, D. glanduloso-lanosa, Poly-
stichum Wolfii. ‘‘Cuti-r’aqui-r’aqui,’’ Asplenium fragile
and ‘“‘Nutu-r’aqui-r’aqui,’’ Cheilanthes pruinata, mean
‘Small fern.’? The word ‘‘R’aqui’’ is also applied to the
Jug-like vessels or aryballos, varying in size from eight
inches to three feet, used to store their corn beer,
‘‘Chicha,’’ and which are often decorated with fern de-
signs. The pattern is a common one found on ceramics
belonging to the Late Inca period between 1438 and 1532.
FERNS OF THE INCAS A
I have seen the design on pottery or fragments from
Pachacamac, Chicama, Chincha, and Machu-Picchu, and
on cooking vessels and jugs as well as aryballos. Several
drawings of ceramics ornamented with fern designs are
illustrated in Hiram Bingham’s work, ‘‘Machu-Picchu,
a Citadel of the Incas,’’ and one of the jugs is indicated
as evidently the property of a wizard or medicine man
ib
ARYBALLOS FROM THE Late INCA Pertop (1438-1532) CALLED
“R’ AQUI,” DECORATED WITH STYLIZED FERN DESIGNS WHICH CAN
HAPS REPRESENT PoLyPopIuM. NOTE THE SETS OF
PARALLEL LINES IN TWOS AND THREES. REDRAWN
FROM HERRERA AND YACOVLEFF
from its contents of seeds, mosses, bone, and bits of char-
coal. Two aryballos from the paper by Herrera and
Yacovleff are redrawn here in reference to their com-
ment that venation by two and three veins is clearly
distinguished. A botanical interpretation of such highly
stylized designs is difficult but it would seem more likely
that the parallel lines represent the margins of the lobes
of the leaf where they are in sets of two and where a third
is shown a central vein is indicated. Whatever interpre-
tation might be made the pattern is an interesting one,
illustrating modifications or variations of a design.
18 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Philip A. Means, one of this countries celebrated
authorities on Peruvian archeology, evaluates the con-
temporary people in his volume ‘‘ Ancient Civilizations
of the Andes’’ as, ‘‘the race which created the oldest, the
choicest, the rarest, and, for us the choicest artifacts from
the ancient periods of the Andean area, is still living and,
relatively speaking, is almost unchanged in custom, char-
acter and genius.’’ This idea is confirmed by scholars
and technicians who have journeyed to Peru to observe
methods of weaving, of keeping of quipus (the knot rec-
ords), of building, and of agriculture, or to record stories
and music in order to interpret better the ancient cul-
tures.
The markets of Peru are irresistible to most visitors,
and for the botanist a certain place to gather records on
plants. The ferns are no exception, for we saw them
among the wares of herb vendors in Cuzco, Huanecayo,
and Lima. At the Lima market, I had the good company
of Dr. Emma Cerrate of the University of San Marcos
Herbarium at the Museo de Historia Natural, an able
botanist and fluent in Quechua. We collected and made
records on the following: Equisetum bogotense and E.
giganteum, ‘‘pinco-pinco,’’ prepared as a tea for diseases
of the liver and kidneys; Adiantum Capillus-veneris,
‘‘Culantrillo,’’ an infusion is used as an enemmagogue ;
Asplenium triphyllum, ‘‘Culantrillo,’’ a tea taken to im-
prove the blood; Cheilanthes pruinata, ‘‘Cuti-cuti,’’
taken as a tea for diseases of the kidneys and diabetes;
Notholaena aurea, ‘‘ Cuti-cuti,’’ prepared as tea for dia-
betes; and N. nivea, ‘‘ Cuti-cuti-blanco,’’ mixed with C.
pruinata and brewed as a tea for diabetes. Samples from
the Pisaec market of the resin of Cyathea cuspidata,
‘*Sano-sano,’’ were obtained from Dr. César Vargas, the
Peruvian authority on potatoes at the University of
Cuzco; bamboo joints were used to store the resin, which
is used on wounds and broken bones. A sample of
FERNS OF THE INCAS 19
Asplenium foeniculaceum was sent to the Museo de His-
toria Natural for identification by the Officina de Huanta
in Ayacucho; this is called ‘‘R’aqui’’ by the Indians of
the Sierra de Viscatan and used for a substitute for coca.
There is no formal register of botanists who have come
to Peru, but plant specimens in herbaria throughout the
world document the visits of Joseph de Jussieu, of Ruiz,
Pavén, and Dombey to Tarma in 1779, of Née, who
reached the Guarimaya valley on the Malaspina Expedi-
tion, of Humboldt and Bonpland to the Marafion, of
Pearce, who traveled to Huanaco in search of plants for
English gardens, and of Raimondi and Weberbauer who
came and stayed. They record the many expeditions sent
out by the Field Museum of Natural History and that
six sent out by the University of California Botanical
Garden collected ferns as well as Nicotiana, and that
Killip and Smith, on a Smithsonian Institution expedi-
tion, collected roots as well as the leaves of ferns.
The following observations were made on a visit to
Peru from July to November, 1956, in connection with
the preparation of a manual of the ferns of Peru by Rolla
M. Tryon. My lot was to assist, and as numerous Peru-
vian wives do, I soon learned to carry at least half of the
load. Our object was not to explore but to take complete
samples of the ferns, and to observe their haunts, so that
the collections already made can be more readily inter-
preted. Our first trip was northeast to Iquitos, Peru’s
Atlantic port some 2300 miles up the Amazon. There we
found many kinds of Polypodium perched on tree limbs
and noted that the reason specimens of Trichomanes
Hostmannianum may look as if they have been bathed in
mud is because they grow on the inundated forest floor.
Contrary to popular belief, low jungles are not teeming
with ferns, animals, nor even snakes. On the cool, east
slope of the Andes, in the vicinity of Tingo Maria, in
central Peru we made our richest collections. In cloud-
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 49, PLATE 4
ABOVE: BLECHNUM GLANDULOSUM ON AN INTERIOR FALL OF A
DWELLING AT MACHU-PIccHU. BELOW: phage pia M .au ILINUM,
BRACKEN, IN CULTIVATED ‘TERRACES M 1-Pr
FERNS OF THE INCAS 21
drenched mountain passes we found small Hymenophyl-
lums on wet, mossy, rocks and above them colonies of tall
tree ferns, Cyathea. The area near Tingo is expanding
agriculturally and there are large plantations of tea and
coca. Here the greatest weed problem is Bracken,
Pteridium aquilinum var. arachnoideum, which takes
over entire hillsides after they are cleared for crops and
is rampant after burning. Here we collected the tallest
of the Horsetails, Equisetum gigantewm. While we pre-
pared specimens we were approached by a native woman
in her colorful array of bright skirts and shawls. She
asked for some of this plant called ‘‘Pinco-pinco”’ from
which she prepared a tea for liver complaints. We won-
dered how she knew it was the liver that troubled her,
but in Lima we learned from a physician that Equisetum
is popular and effective as a diuretic.
The southern highlands are the most scenic part of
Peru for here the Incas reigned and their walls of pre-
cisely fitted stones are festooned with ferns. Nearby the
fortress of Sacsahuaman guarding the city of Cuzco above
11,000 feet, we found several species in xeric habitats.
The leaves of Cheilanthes incarum were coiled and cov-
ered with tawny scales giving the impression of an Inea
huaca or relic more than of a fern. Plants of Pellaea
ternifolia were compact and the leaf margins strongly
enrolled. The leaves of Cheilanthes pruinata were viscid
and those of Notholaena nivea were undercoated with
white wax. The most magnificent ruin, Machu-Picchu,
found within the past 50 years, a hidden retreat in the
mountain tops above the Urubamba River, was rich in
ferns. Bracken covers many of the old agricultural
terraces and poses the problem of why there is no men-
tion of this conspicuous species as a culinary or medicinal
plant of the Incas. Woodsia montevidensis grew from
the projecting stones of the roof gables, and symmetrical
niches in the interior walls of dwellings were brightened
SYNopPsis OF THE COMMON NAMES OF FERNS AND SPECIES WITH WHICH THEY ARE IDENTIFIED
Chroniclers, records to 1900
Herrera & Valdizan
Markets
Trembladera
Equisetum bogotense, E. giganteum
Doradilla
Notholaena nivea
Culantrillo de pezo
Adiantum Polretii
lipodie
hy angustifolium, P.
erassifolium, P. pycnocarpum
o
Asplenfum
vit na
um complanatum
an saaik
Polypedium serratum, P. lineare
Cuca-cuea, Incope
Polypodium cae
Puntu-puntu, Lengua de clervo
tinct crassifolium
Espincu
splenium
Trembladera, Cola de caballo, Mocco-mocco,
Pineco-pinco
pape eee Pera E. giganteum, E.
xylochae
Dora
Notholaena Fraseri (probably N. aurea)
Culantrillo de -
Adiantum illus-veneris, A. Orbig-
nyanum, Notholaena nivea
China-huifai-huaina
Lycopodium clavatum
Calaguala, pedir dg cecalaihbua
ee angustifolium, P,
Sano-sano
Cyathea cuspidata, Alsophila
R’aqui-r’aqui
Dryopteris
Dennst erencyiga jana
D. ore D. glanduloso-
aan, a Palsutichenn Wolfii
Cola de caballo, Pinco-pinco
Equisetum bogotense, E, giganteum
Culantrillo
Adiantum Capillus-veneris
Asplenium triphyllum
Sano-sano
Cyathea cuspidata
aqu
Asplenium foeniculaceum
IVNHOOf NYG NVOMay
Cuti-r’aqui-r’aqui
Asplenium fragile
Nutu-r'aqui-r'aqui
Cheilan vt pruinata
Anca-pfuru
Pelsasdtom crassifolium
Chipi-cuca
Polypodium Buchtienii, P. subvestitum
Chirumpi
Adiantopsis radiata
aagientant monanthes, Cheilanthes
ornatissima, C. scariosa, C. myrio-
phylla, Polypodium xantholepis
Qquella-qquella
Adiantum digitatum
Cuti-cuti
Chellanthes pruinata, Notholaena
Cutheuti: Dlaiied
Notholaena nivea
SVON] DHL JO SNUG
&@
24 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
by young, pink fronds of Blechnum glandulosum. We
collected these as well as the following at Machu-Picchu:
Adiantum Poiretvi, Asplenium auritum, A. monanthes,
iene ta marginata, C. Poeppigiana, Elaphoglossum
pathulatum, Ophioglossum reticulatum, Pityrogramma
ferns Polypodium Herzogu, P. moniliforme, Pteris
muricata, and Equisetum bogotense.
The cultivation of potatoes, corn, cotton, and coca, the
crops of economic importance, are often conceded as a
contribution of the Ineas and the peoples upon which
their empire was built. That there were other plants they
knew and utilized, such as these ferns, which have not
been adopted by our culture, we know from the reports
of the chroniclers, from their Quechua names, their
artifacts, and from contemporary Andean people.
LITERATURE CITED
Anonymous, Relaciones Geograficas sobre Quito,
Bi ay or age Machu-Picehu, a Citadel of a ae New
Haven, 1930.
ae Pema Historia del Nuevo Mundo. Soe. Bib. Andaluces.
faeseg a la Vega See a Commentario Reales, primera
parte, 2nd. ed. Petes
Herrera, F. L. eee Quer. Ene del Mus. Nac, Lima 2:
3-8, 131-136. 1933; 7-62.
————— Sinopsis de hs ga del rune 1941
Herrera, F. L. and E. Yacovleff. El Mundo eles de den oe
Peruanos. Rev. del Mus. Nae. Lima. 3: 243-322. 1934;
102. 1935.
Means, P. A. Ancient Civilizations of the Andes. New York,
1931.
Markham, C. R. Travels in Peru and India. London, 1862.
Pizarro, Hernando, in Reports on the raed of Peru, ed. C. R.
arkham. Hak klyut Soe. London, 1872.
Ruiz, Hipélito. Travels of Ruiz, Pavon and Dombey in Peru and
Chile. Field Mus. Publ. Bot. Series 21: 1-372. 1940.
Valdizan, Hermilio and A, Maldonado. La Medicina Popular
Peruana. Lima, 1922
BotrycHtum LUNARIA Pay)
A Range oe in Arctic Alaska for
ychium lunaria
JoHN E. CANTLON,? WARREN H. WAGNER,’ AND
Wituiam T. Giuis?
The moonwort, Botrychium lunaria (L.) Swartz, has
a circumpolar distribution, including Alaska, Canada,
the northern United States, Greenland, Iceland, Scandi-
navia, northern Europe, and Siberia. It is also repre-
sented in the southern hemisphere in New Zealand, Aus-
tralia, Tasmania, and Argentina. The most northern
latitudes reported for the species by Hultén (1941-50)
and Porsild (1951) are 61° N in the Urals, 66° N in the
Ob and Yenisei Rivers in eastern Russia, and about 66°
N in central Alaska. Bécher (1957) reports it from 73°
N in Greenland. The present report concerns a collec-
tion from north of the Brooks Range, somewhat over 69°
north latitude in arctic Alaska.
The locality data for the specimens are: Valley of the
Okpilak River, ca. 45 miles south-southwest of Barter
Island and ca. 250 miles north of Fort Yukon, Alaska,
lat. 69° 26’ N, long. 144° 01’ W (U.S.G.S. Topographic
series, Mount ‘Mishelaos quadrangle), elev. ca. 2000 feet,
J. E. Cantlon and W. T. Gillis, Nos. 57-1885 and 57-2063,
7 August and 10 August, 1957. The specimens are de-
posited in the herbaria of Michigan State University, Uni-
versity of Michigan, and the U.S. National Museum. The
collections and observations were made during a study of
plant micro-distribution patterns supported by a grant
1 Publication No. 58-8, Department of cag and Plant Path-
ology, Michigan State University. The field studies were aided
by a contract between ONR, Department of the Navy, and the
Arctic ue iy of North oe Reproduction in whole or in
part permitted for any purpose of the United States Government.
Shartinens of Botany and pay nt Pathology, Michigan State
Univ Srey, East Lansing, Mich
% Department of Botany, University ‘of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Michigan,
26 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
from the Arctic Institute of North America and the
Arctic Research Laboratory.
The question arose whether these specimens might be-
long to the closely similar Botrychium minganense Vic-
torin, the relationships of which to B. lunaria were re-
cently discussed by Wagner and Lord (1956). Both
species have been collected at high latitudes in Alaska.
However, such characters as the green (rather than yel-
low-green) color of the specimens, the relatively broad
segments with descending basal margins, the coarse and
angular penultimate segments, and others indicate that
these specimens are B. lunaria. We examined spores with
the intention of comparing their measurements with the
different sizes characteristic of the two species, but there
were so many irregularities in spore structure—perhaps
due to irregular freezing conditions in development—that
no dependable measurements could be made.
Since Botrychium lunaria may oceur at other sites on
the arctic slope of Alaska and adjoining Yukon, Canada,
a detailed description of the habitat is presented as a
guide to future collectors in these areas. The Okpilak
valley is mantled with glacial till of several ages, the high-
est being found approximately 2000 feet above the cur-
rent flood-plain. The entire region is underlain with
continuous permafrost, and lies north of the treeline.
However, there are small stands of Populus tacamahaca
ill. on river gravels in protected valleys, the nearest
stand being in the Ignek Valley sixty miles to the west
(Spetzman, 1951). There is no frost-free season, but the
surface is usually about half-free of snow by mid-June
and some plants remain green until about September 1.
The vegetation of the region is arctic tundra. The
communities range from marshes in very poorly drained
sites to wet or upland meadows on the poorly to im-
perfectly drained soils, with the exposed crests support-
ing upland meadows or sparsely vegetated barrens. The
BorrycHium LUNARIA ae
marshes are of sedges and grasses, the wet meadows are
of cottongrass tussocks, sedges, dwarf-shrubs, and mosses ;
the upland meadows are of dwarf shrubs, mosses, herbs
and lichens; and the barrens are of herbs, dwarf-shrubs
and lichens. Shrub vegetation with the dominants from
one to four feet tall oceurs where the mantle of snow is
thick enough to provide the necessary winter protection
yet melts off quickly in the summer and does not shorten
excessively the already short growing season. The coarse-
textured alluvial soils on the lowest terrace close to the
river channel may support very small stands of Salix
alaxensis Cov., feltleaf willow, some stems of which reach
15 feet in the area.
The soils in the area (Tedrow, Drew, and Alderfer,
1957; Tedrow and Cantlon, 1958) range from Hydrosols
and Bog on the wet end to Meadow Tundra and Upland
Tundra soils on the gently to steeply sloping surfaces,
and with Arctic Brown soils and Lithosols on the very
well drained crests. Solifluction and other frost action
produce colluvial materials on some steep slopes that lack
identifiable soil profiles.
The actual collection site was a short, steep, south-
facing slope in glaciofluvial materials. The slope is an
old eut-bank formed when the Okpilak River was cutting
through a small moraine which, following Detterman
(1953) and Kunkle (1958) is Echooka, synchronous with
late Wisconsin. The colony of moonwort is about 100
yards east and approximately 20 feet above the present
river. The surface soil is a sandy loam. The vegetation
is an open shrub-grass type, the shrubs ranging from 1
to 3-5 feet tall. Shrub cover ranges from 20 to 60 per
cent, averaging about 40 per cent. The major shrub spe-
cies are Salix glauca L. ssp., Potentilla fruticosa L.,
Betula nana L. ssp. exilis (Sukatch.) Hult. and Vac-
cinium uliginosum. L. The lower vegetation is domi-
nated by grasses, particularly Festuca altaica Trin.,
28 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Bromus pumpellianus Seribn. var. arcticus (Shear)
Porsild, Poa spp., and Agropyron sericeum Hitche.
Abundant herbs are Carex spp., Potentilla nivea L., P.
vahliana Lehm., Kobresia myosuroides (Vill.) Fiori and
Paol., Gentiana propinqua Richards., Epilobium spp.,
Androsace chamaejasme Host., Bupleurum americanum
Coulter and Rose, and Artemisia tilesii Ledeb. Mosses
and lichens contributed little cover and few species were
present.
The individual plants of Botrychium lunaria oceurred
as scattered individuals (sometimes in pairs) among the
grass in the central part of the willow-grass stand. The
entire colony appears to be confined to an area not more
than 30 feet up and down the slope and 100 feet along it.
Down-slope from the colony the willows are taller (up to
41% feet) and more dense, and the soil more moist; with-
out question the snow is deeper and later in melting down-
slope from the colony. Up-slope from the colony the
shrub cover thins out and is much shorter (less than 1
foot), the soil is more stony and drier, and winter snow
cover is doubtlessly shallower.
Approximately 30 specimens were seen, 12 of which
were collected. Each one was deeply rooted (about 114
inches to base of rootstock) among clumps of grass, mostly
under willow shrubs. The soil in which they grew was
always a very well-drained dark brown, fibrous, organic-
mineral material. The lower horizons were not examined.
The colony in question is obviously younger than the
age of the glacio-fluvial surface on which it is found.
The deepness of the organic-mineral soil in which all of
the plants were rooted suggests that the species would not
be a pioneer on raw mineral soils, and could come in only
after other vegetation had been long established. Since
the only sites of this nature in the area are post-pleisto-
cene, the arctic slope range may likewise be post-pleisto-
cene. It may be of significance that the Okpilak valley
BorrycHium LUNARIA 29
is one of the several routes through the Brooks Range
taken by the caribou as they migrate from their winter
range on the south to their summer range on the arctic
slope. If the caribou are agents of transport, similar
habitats along rivers connected with the other passes
through the Brooks Range might be logical places to make
careful searches for additional colonies of Botrychium
lunaria.*
LITERATURE CITED
Boeher, Tyge W. 1957. Lekepewe Flora. P. Haase & Sons For-
Detterman, R. L. 1953. A eae -Anaktuvuk Region, north-
ern Alaska. In Multiple mearigniae in Alaska by T. L. Pewe
U.S. Geol. Survey Cire. 289:
Hultén, E. 1941-1950. Flora a ee and egies Parts I-X.
Lunds Universitets Arsskrift. N. F. Vol.
Kunkle, G. R. 1958. Multiple glaciation in . J ago River area,
northeastern Alaska. Masters thesis, Department of Geol., Univ.
f Michigan.
Porsild, A. E. 1951. Botany of southeastern Yukon agent to
the Canol road. Nat. Mus. Canada Bull. 121. Otta
Spetzman, L. A. 1951. Plant Geography and ecology vy the aretic
slope of Alaska. Masters Thesis, University of Min
Tedrow, J. C. F., J. V. Drew and R. B. Alderfer. 1957. “Jago River
Area. In es pedologic study of the soil forming processes =
the aves ‘Cousta Plain of Alaska, by J. C. F. Tedrow. Unpub
mimeogr. report to Arctic Institute of North America, Wiley.
ton, D. C,
Tedrow, J. C. F. and J. E. Cantlon. 1958. Concepts of soil forma-
tion and Seetieene in Arctic regions. Manuscript submitted
to “Aretie
Wagner, e HL. and Lois P. Lord. 1956. The morphological and
ee distinctness of Botrychium minganense a and B. lunaria
n Michigan, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 83: 261— 280.
1An ay gi smaller, but almost ee colony was discov-
e
ered b or author in 1958. approximately one-
fourth there abet of the one deseribed.
30 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
The Ferns and Fern-allies of
Northern Neck, Virginia!
CLYDE F’. Reep
Northern Neck is the peninsula that lies to the south
of the Potomac River and is bounded on the north by
that river, on the south by the Rappahannock River, and
on the east by the Chesapeake Bay. Five counties make
up the peninsula: (from the northernmost to the south-
ernmost) King George, Westmoreland, Richmond,
Northumberland, and Lancaster. The peninsula is
about 90 miles in length from the bend of the Potomac
River southeastward to the Chesapeake Bay, and varies
from 10 to 25 miles in width. Northern Neck is made of
coastal soils only. There are some swampy areas and
millponds inland and many marshy places along the
coast, but for the most part the land is dry and woodsy.
Some of the plants that reach their northern limit of dis-
tribution, west of the Chesapeake Bay, on this peninsula
are Asarum virginicum (heart-leaf), Oxydendron ar-
boreum (sourwood), and Galax aphylla (wandflower ).
Massey* listed only 8 specimens, representing 8 differ-
ent species from the five counties of Northern Neck,
namely: Dryopteris noveboracensis (Lancaster), Ptert-
dium aquilinum var. latiuseulum (Northumberland),
Lorinseria areolata (Northumberland), Osmunda regalis
var. spectabilis (Northumberland), Equisetum prealtum
(Westmoreland), Lycopodium complanatum var. flabel-
liforme (King George), Lycopodium lucidulum (North-
umberland), and Lycopodium obscurum var. dendrot-
deum (Northumberland).
While studying the flora and herpetology*® of North-
1 Contributions to =e Flora of Virginia,
2 The Ferns and Fern Allies . Virginia, Bull Virginia Poly-
bop ere 37(7): 1-110.
urn, Washington ‘head. Sei. 47(1): 21-23. 1957,
tu in fete eb scons of Northern Neck.
FERNS OF NORTHERN NECK 31
ern Neck during the past twelve years, the author has
collected 20 species and varieties of ferns and 5 species
and varieties of fern-allies, with more than 75 county
records, represented by more than 165 annotated speci-
mens. Since the author’s collections add considerably
to the present known distribution of the ferns and fern-
allies in Virginia, an annotated list of the specimens
collected by the author along with the records published
to date follows below.
BotTRYCHIACEAE
. BoTRYCHIUM DISSECTUM yar, OBLIQUUM (Muhl.) Fernald—
Sita lobed Gra se e-fern. KiNG GrorGE Co.: Deep ravine, 2 mi, W.
of Owens, Aug. 28, 1957, Reed 38356; low woods, just E. of Owens,
Aug. 28, 1957, Reed 39342; along Machadoe Creek, 8S. of Dahlgren,
Aug. 28, 1957, Reed 39363; low woods near Shiloh, Nov. 9, 1957,
Reed 39471. WESTMORELAND Co.: Roadside bank, 2 mi. f Oak
é
Co.: Low woods, 1 mi. N. of Morattico, near Litwalton, May 27,
1956, Reed 37726. No specimens of typical B. dissectum have been
found on this peninsula.
. BOTRYCHIUM VIRGINIANUM — Sw Pte aee Fern. KING
GrorGE Co.: Deep ravine, 2 mi. of Owens, Aug. 28, 1957, Reed
39358. LaNcAsTER Co.: Wo ra yavine, SE. of Lively, May 27,
1956, Reed 39117.
OSMUNDACEAE
3. OSMUNDA CINNAMOMEA L.—Cinnamon Fern, KriNe@ GErorGE Co.:
Maple Grbve: hue. 10, 1955, ae 36675; wer ditches near Noite’
Grove, W. of Lye ells, Aug. 28, 1957, Reed 39375, RICHMOND Co.:
Low woods, } mi, SE. of Warsaw, April 22, 1946, Reed 4437; 1 mi.
E, of Farnham, pa 30, 1946, Reed 5082, NORTHUMBERLAND Co.:
Swampy woods near Clarks eg 1 mi. N. of cept May 15,
1954, Reed 33264; near Remo, E. of Wicomico Church, May 27,
near Litwalton eres 27, 1956, Reed 37738; woods between Nutts-
ville and Morntties; May 27, 1956, Reed 39106.
32 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
4. OSMUNDA REGALIS var. SPECTABILIS ( Willd.) A. Gray—Royal
Fern. Kine George Co.: erpald near US. 301, Aug. 15, 1957, Reed
39089 ; wet woods 2 mi. W. of Dahlgren, near Owens, Aug. 28, 1957,
Reed 39333 ; low Len near peas Nov. 9, 1957, Reed obs. Wrst
MORELAND Co. Wet ditches near Nomini Grove, W. of Lyells, Aug
28, 1957, Ried 39373. RicHMOND Co.: Low wet places, 4 mi.
Wa
May 7, 1933, (UVa., cited in Massey, p. 77). LANCASTER
Woods between Nuttsville and Morattico, May 27, 1956, Reed 39110.
PTERIDACEAE
5. raps blac PUNCTILOBULA (Michx.) Moore-Hay-scented
E O28 ) mi
1. WE GE Co.
Woods near pond, Rt. 206, just N. of Maple Grove, Aug. 10, 1955,
Reed 36669. LANCASTER Co.: Woods 1 mi. N. of Mo phe? near
eee May 27, 1956, Reed 37739. WESTMORELAND Co. oods
. S. of Oak
u
Underw.—Bracken or Eastern Sakae’ Kine GEORGE Co.: Waele
near Dahlgren, a0 28, 1957, Reed 39385. WESTMORELAND CO.:
Roadside wastes, 8. of Oak Grove, May 25, 1957, Reed 38860. RIcH-
MOND Co.: Wet ney near Newlands, Aug. 28, 1957, Reed 39382.
NORTHUMBERLAND CO.: Sa ndy wastes near Reedvill e, June 10, 1956,
e 974; wooded ravine 1 mi. S. of Wicomico Church, May 27,
1956, Reed 39139. = Brighton 35
BOSTON, MASS, 0.5.4,
Treatise:
Ss ae /
“THE PREPARATION OF
BOTANICAL SPECIMENS
FOR THE HERBARIUM”
i eben, 16 Be Aneel Activote, H pirat ays
has bap general shared the benefits of his hepa and successful ex
ence in a the cache and Rrepereti - plant specimens.
aquatic flowering gae, mosses,
lichens pal fungi, Specific suggestions are — for record making
in the field; for record keeping in the herbarium.
__ Qne copy of the treatise is yours for the asking. Wi With it will
er be imthetled samples of Bosaieal Papers (Driers, Meonting Sheets
and Genus Covers) ode a oe
Plant Presses, Sp H Mawets, Botanical. Labels é
~ | Tust ask for “a copy of the Johnston treatise”,
CAMBOSCO SCIENTIFIC toueist ae
37 ANTWERP STREET BRIGHTON STATION
TON, MASS. U.S.A.
Vol. 49 April-June, 1959 No. 2
American Fern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS —
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
C. V.
R. C. BENEDICT IRA
A. C. SMITH
Fd
CONTENTS
Frederick Louis Fagley, 1879-1959 ...
The Identification of a Costa Rican Blechnum
Cc. V. Morton 66
The Home of Slechuost Buchtienii in Costa Rica
-C. K. HoricnH 69
Remarks on Some 1958 Dealers’ Catalogs ... C. V. Morton 72
A Study of the os Fern Trichomanes Boschianum
wee Ro deo . MOHLENBROCK — JoHN W. Voter 76
Spe pe Eines ie Some Indian Species
of Equisetum N. Munra And S. S. Brr 86
=< Am merican Fern Society: Report of Curator and Librarian;
= Pomert of Si Snes Exchange, 1958; Summer - Field-trip:
92
N. QUEEN sT. AND McGOVERN AVE, LANCASTER, PAL potas
d as 5 Page goin lass = tter at, the a at Lancaster, Pa.
March 3, Fanee for
‘under the "dew aties
rate of Dor 2 Doaiage p naethek: for ine the Act eae
aa Pe (4-2) Section 3440 P. te & B, of
Ghe American Hern Society
Cununril for 1959
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
Ira L. Wigains, Dudley Herbarium, Stanford acs <8 Cali-
fornia se ident
JaMzEs E. BENEDICT, JR., 945 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., hing-
Vic ce- Presideet
DoNALD HUTTLESTON, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Penna.
ecre aes
Wattrr 8. PHILuIps, Department of Botany, dackeees © a i
zona, Tucson, Arizona easurer
C. V. Morton, 8S: Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, > C.
Edi itor-in-Chief
OFFICIAL ORGAN
American Fern Journal
EDITORS
C. V. Moron ............. aay ian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
R. C. BENeEpIct ......... 2214 Beverly Road, Brooklyn by N. A
Ira L, Wiaarns ...... Dudley Herbarium, Stanford University, Calif.
A. C, SuirH ....... Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
An illustrated quarterly devoted to the general study of ferns.
Biphniens agr, $2.35 per year, foreign, 10 cents extra; sent free
_ Back volumes $2.00 ea ; single back numbers 50 cents each;
oe oe to vols. Tbs, 25 cents. Ten per cent dineataih on
more
ers of six
"Metion for Barrera should be or to C. V. Morton,
Smithsonian nstitution, Washington 25, D. C.
Orders. — back numbers and aaa Sthex busi communications
moud be amas to the Treasurer of the Society.
LIBRARIAN AND CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM
Dr. H. W. Wagner, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Eeeal regular loan department i is maintained in connection with the
fed enrgnl at maeebigpiates to assist
from differen ener
Amprican #eru Journal
Vou. 49 APRIL-JUNE, 1959 No. 2
Frederick Louis Fagley, 1879-1958
C. V. Morron*
Dr. Frederick Louis Fagley, President of the Ameri-
ean Fern Society in 1945, 1946, and 1947, was born in
Bethel, Ohio, May 8, 1879. He received his degree of
D.D. from Oberlin College and thereafter devoted the
remainder of his life to the service of the Church. He
soon demonstrated great administrative ability and was
Associate Secretary of the General Councils of Congrega-
tional Christian Churches from 1922 until his retirement
in 1948. He was especially interested in Church History
and was one of the founders of the Congregational His-
torical Society. Among other activities he served on the
executive committee of the Federal Council of Churches,
served as chairman of a national committee for Army
and Navy chaplains during the war, directed the Na-
tional Council’s German Exchange Program after the
war, initiated the Fellowship of Prayer and served as
editor of ‘‘Daily Devotions.’’ For a time he was Dud-
leian Lecturer at Harvard University (1951-52). He
will be best remembered as the author of ‘‘The History
of American Congregationalism,’’ with Dr. Gaius Glenn
Atkins.
There was nothing provincial or parochial about Dr.
Fagley ; he was a man of liberal outlook, and his interests
ranged from art (he was a director of the National Arts
Club) to plants. Ferns, in particular, were a long-time
1T am grateful to the Gramercy Graphic, New York, and the
Bulletin of the Congregational Library, Boston, for information.
[Volume 49, Number 1, of the JOURNAL, pp. 1-64, was issued
April 13, 1959.]
66 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
hobby; he took great pleasure in growing and studying
them on his summer place on the shores of Lake Sunapee
in New Hampshire.
It was during Dr. Fagley’s terms as President of the
Fern Society that the long association between the
Brooklyn Botanical Garden and the Fern Society was
terminated. He very competently directed the negotia-
tions that resulted in the library and herbarium being
transferred to the Missouri Botanical Garden and the
stock of back-numbers of the Journal being brought to
the Smithsonian Institution.
It was.a privilege to have been associated with Dr.
Fagley. He had an affection and respect for the old
and traditional, as his historical interests testify, and
also a zest for the new and the untried. As many have
reason to know, he was always ready with wise counsel
and warm friendship.
The Identification of a Costa Rican Blechnum
C. V. Morton
There is a group of species of Blechnum of striking
aspect, noted in Mr. Horich’s accompanying article.
They are cycad-like, with erect, stocky trunks, and stiffly
erect, coriaceous lenses They grow mostly in open ex-
posed meadows at high elevations, or in far southern,
subantarctic regions. The best known of these is B.
tabulare, of South Africa, with which most of the other
species have been identified at one time or another.
Doubtless, many of them are distinct, although in just
what characters has never been altogether certain. The
Brazilian form is B. imperiale (Fée & Glaz.) Christ, that
of the Guianas is B. Schomburgkii (Klotzsch) C. Chr.,
that of Colombia B. columbiense Hieron., that of Bolivia
B. Buchtienii Rosenst., that of Pasdgonin and southern
IDENTIFICATION OF BLECHNUM 67
Chile B. magellanicum (Desv.) Mett., that of Juan
Fernandez Island B. cycadifolium (Colla) Sturm, and
that of Costa Rica B. Werckleanum (Christ) C. Chr.
In addition to the arborescent character, these species
all have characteristic scales—curved, long-linear, entire,
bicolorous, thickened at the center and several cells thick.
These scales occur only on the trunk and the base of the
stipes. They must be considered as distinguishing a
group more than the trunk, which occurs also in some
other unrelated species of Blechnum, such as B. brasil-
dense.
It appears that, considered conservatively, the genus
Blechnum can be divided into two subgenera—Blechnum
and Lomaria. The latter has often been regarded as
generically distinct, but the only character is that of
having dimorphic sterile and fertile blades, which is not
necessarily a generic character in ferns and which in this
case is rather vague and variable; there are some species
of subg. Blechnum with subdimorphic blades and some of
Lomaria, at least exceptionally, with subconform blades
Several subdivisions of Lomaria have been proposed,
rather casually. John Smith’ recognized four groups,
the category of which is not definitely stated but which ~
can be assumed to be sections, in accordance with the
usual nomenclatural. practice of his time. They are
named Lomaridium, Stegania, Loxochlena, and Lomario-
cycas. The latter group included a large number of spe-
cies—among them L. Gilliesii, L. procera, L. capensis, L.
gibba, L. Fraseri, and L. Boryana [i.e. Blechnum tabu-
lare]. Apparently the name Lomariocycas has never
been taken up by a subsequent author, and is thus still
untypified. According to my present views, the species
enumerated by Smith belong to several sections. How-
ever, the one that is especially commented on by Smith,
and the one that doubtless occasioned the coining of the
1 Historia Filicum 302-306, 1875.
68 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
descriptive name Lomariocycas is L. Boryana, which can
conveniently be designated as the lectotype.
BLecHNuM L. Sect. Lomariocycas (J. Smith) Morton.
comb. nov.
Lomaria [Sect.] Lomariocycas J. Smith, Hist. Fil.
305. 1875.
Lectotypus: Lomaria Boryana (Swartz) Willd.
The only species of this group to be reported from
Costa Rica is B. Werckleanuwm, mentioned above, which
was described from an unstated locality on material col-
lected by Wercklé. It has been collected at several lo-
calities—Vara Blanca de Sarapiqui (between Pods and
Barba volcanoes), between Las Nubes and La Palma, on
the Cerros de Zurqui and Cerro de las Caricias, north of
San Isidro in the Province of Heredia, and at El Boquete,
on Volean Chiriqui, in Panama. The sterile pinnae in
this species are slenderly long-attenuate at the apex or
sometimes rather abruptly caudate. Little is known
about its habit ; it may not have a very thick or conspicu-
ous trunk, because the labels on the specimens do not
comment on the fact.
There is a second species of this group known from
Costa Rica—the one growing in the ‘‘pdramos’’ of the
Sierra de Talamanca, Province of Cartago, and of the
Laguna de la Chonta, northeast of Santa Maria de Dota,
Province of San José. Specimens from the latter locality
collected by Paul C. Standley were considered a new
species by Dr. Maxon and assigned a specific epithet in
honor of the collector; however, Maxon never got around
to describing this species. The pinnae are obtuse at the
apex and not at all attenuate or caudate. In preliminary
studies that I made of Blechnum some years ago I was
unable to distinguish this species from the South Ameri-
can Blechnum Buchtienii Rosenstock, which was de-
scribed originally from Unduavi, North Yungas, Bolivia
(Buchtien no. 878), which was collected at the extreme
Home or BLECHNUM BUCHTIENII 69
altitude of 3800 meters. However, this species is now
known to oceur commonly in the paramos of Colombia
and Ecuador, where it has been found by most collectors.
A reexamination of the material satisfies me that the
Costa Riean plant can correctly be called B. Buchtienii;
if there are any differences they are not apparent from
herbarium material.
SmirHsoNiaNn InstrruTION, Washington, D. C.
The Home of Blechnum Buchtienii in Costa Rica
QC. K. Horica
The high mountains of Costa Rica are isolated from
the Guatemalan highlands by the lowlands of Nicaragua
and from the Andes of South America by the Isthmus of
Panama. They reach the highest points of elevation in
the southernmost Cordillera de Talamanca, which is con-
tinuous with the high mountains of western Panama in
the region of the Voledén Chiriqui. The very uppermost
elevations provide the only stretches, comparatively
diminutive in size, in Central America of the tundra-like
‘“p4ramo’’ conditions so typical of the high Andes, with
the possible exception of the isolated Cerro Maria Tecan
in Guatemala, on the boundary between the Departments
of Totonicapan and Solola.
In these ‘‘paramos’’ occur a number of rare and inter-
esting endemics, such as the bromeliads Puya dasyliri-
oides and Greigia sylvicola, a species of ‘‘sundew,”’
Drosera (not reported from Costa Rica in Standley’s
“Flora of Costa Rica’’), Gentiana sedifolia, and a num-
ber of species of Ericaceae. Among the pteridophytes
growing in this region are species of Lycopodium and
Jamesonia, the fern genus that is typical of South Ameri-
can ‘‘paramos,’’ and even an extremely rare Isoétes, half-
submerged in open ponds in sphagnum bogs near the
Cerro de la Muerte (‘‘The Death Mountain’’). These
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VoLUME 49, PLATE 5
Top, BLECHNU M BUCHTIENIT IN ne EN BOG IN CORDILLERA
DE TALAMANACGA: BELOW, ONE OF TE LARGEST SPECIMENS
WITH THE AUTHOR IN aie oe NI
Home or BLECHNUM BUCHTIENII ‘LE
plants grow at elevations between 2500 m. and 3300 m. or
more. ;
The climatic conditions prevailing throughout the
regions of the Cerro de las Vueltas, Cerro de la Muerte,
Cerro del Nivel, Cerro de Urén, Cerro Chirripé Grande,
Derro Durika, and the Cruz del Abispo rank among the
most disagreeable that one could find—a continuous suc-
cession of fog, drizzle, heavy rain, and cold, howling
winds. There are immense stretches of deep, virgin
cloud-forests in these mountains; it is only on the most
exposed situations, located in saddles where the water can
not drain off immediately, that we find the sphagnum
bogs and ‘‘ paramos.’’
It is in this bleak, almost sinister world of white fog
that we meet with Blechnum Buchtienii, a fern so strange
in appearance that even competent botanists confuse it
with a species of eyead. The thick, stiff, leathery fronds
spread star-like from the top of a thick stem that becomes
more than eight feet in height in old specimens. It is
more deeply rooted in the swamp and tougher in struc-
ture than any other tree-fern that I have seen. The stout,
stiff appearance of this Blechnum and the regular, sym-
metrical growth of the narrow, glossy fronds is responsi-
ble for the strange superficial similarity to eycads
such as Dison, a similarity that prevails even in young
specimens. However, an investigation will soon reveal
the fertile, spore-bearing fronds, hardly different in as-
pect from the sterile.
The trunks of Blechnum Buchtienti are often host to
small epiphytic plants, including a species of Asplenium
and miniature orchids of the genera Pleurothallis and
Lepanthes.
When the trees lose their anchoring in the high winds
and fall down on the mats of sphagnum moss they some-
times will root throughout their entire length in the
boggy ground.
72 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
This Blechnum, a remnant of an ancient ‘‘péramo’’
element that may have once covered most of the higher
slopes in Costa Rica, is certainly an outstandingly inter-
esting fern, and also a very decorative plant. It might
be possible in cultivation in cool, wet, acid soil, with its
stem wrapped in live sphagnum moss. The region in
which it grows merits conservation.
Lista de Correos, San José, Costa Rica.
Remarks on Some 1958 Dealers’ Catalogs
C. V. Morton
One of the frequent requests received by the officers of
the American Fern Society is for information as to
sources of supply for ferns, both hardy and house (or
greenhouse) kinds. For this reason I wrote to a number
of dealers for current catalogs of their offerings. The
following are some casual remarks on those received.
The largest dealers are those supplying the trade—
florists’ shops, ten-cent stores and so forth—and these
usually do not wish to bother with small retail orders.
Some of the best dealers apparently do not issue catalogs
at all, depending on general advertisements. Some con-
sideration has been given to the possibility of having a
few pages of dealers’ advertisements at the back of the
Fern Journal as a service to our members rather than as
an income-producing proposition, but the response has
not been encouraging. Apparently there is a feeling
that the membership of the Fern Society is too small to
make advertising profitable in the Journal. It is true
that the subscription list is relatively small compared
with many popular periodicals, but still it is highly se-
lective in that it includes a large number of those people
in the States that are truly interested in ferns and in
growing ferns.
Stocks do vary, and doubtless some of the dealers men-
1958 DEALERS’ CATALOGS 73
tioned below have additional species available but in
quantities too small to merit advertising. Inquiries can
be made by letter.
One of the most reliable plant dealers is Wayside
Gardens, Mentor, Ohio, whose catalogs are things of
beauty. Ferns are by no means a specialty, and only six
hardy kinds are offered—Adiantum pedatum, Poly-
stichum acrostichoides [as Aspidium acrostichoides],
Dryopteris spinulosa [as Aspidium spinulosum], Athy-
rium filix-femina [as Asplenium filix-foemina], Osmunda
cinnamomea, and Osmunda Claytoniana.
Gardens of the Blue Ridge, Ashford, North Carolina,
offers plants of about 25 species of hardy eastern ferns, as
well as many native eastern flowers and shrubs, including
the interesting and seldom used native ground-covers
Galax aphylla, ‘‘Oconee Bells’? (Shortia galacifolia),
wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), and trailing ar-
butus (Epigaea repens), and the most spectacular and
beautiful of native trees, the fringe-tree (Chionanthus
virginicus), not enough used in gardens. The proprietor,
Mr. E. C. Robbins, is to be congratulated on the careful
and professional way in which his catalog is drawn up,
with practically all the names right, and correctly spelled,
a marked contrast to many dealers’ catalogs.
Twenty-seven kinds of hardy ferns native to the east-
ern states are offered by Harry E. Saier, Dimondale,
Michigan. Ferns are a very casual sideline with Mr.
Saier, who specializes in seeds of flowers, shrubs, and
trees ; his catalog is the richest I know of in rare plants.
A feature of the catalog of Vick’s Wildgardens, Ine.,
Box 115, Gladwyne, Pa., is that all the stocks are nursery-
grown; it is good to know that some dealers are not raid-
ing the dwindling supply of wild plants. The ferns of-
fered are all hardy eastern species, including club-moss
(Lycopodium lucidulum), ground-pine (L. obscurum),
and ground-cedar (L. complanatum var. flabelliforme, to
74 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
judge from the illustration). A crossing of the names
between the drawings of polypody and New York fern
will not confuse readers of the Fern Journal.
Plants of hardy eastern ferns are offered also by Sky-
Cleft Gardens, Camp Street Extended, Barre, Vermont,
altogether 31 species, all natives of the eastern states ex-
cept the deer-fern, Blechnum Spicant. The same firm
offers also hardy rock garden and alpine plants.
One of the best catalogs for house and greenhouse
plants is from Merry Gardens, Camden, Maine, whic
offers a large selection of various geraniums, tuberous
begonias, foliage plants, and succulents. A number of
tender ferns are offered, including mother-fern (Asplen-
tum bulbiferum), bird’s-nest-fern (Asplenium nidus,
erroneously called Asplenium nidus-avis, as it is in
many other dealers’ catalogs), Davallia Mariesii and D.
Griffithiana (a real rarity, if it is correctly named),
Nephrolepis ev. ‘Compacta,’ ev. ‘Duffii,’ ev. ‘Verona,’
and ev. ‘ Whitmanii,’ Pteris ev. § Victoriae,’ ev. ‘Wilsoni,’
Selaginella Brownii, 8. Kraussiana, and others. It is
rather too bad to continue to find the flowering plants
asparagus (Asparagus plumosus and A. Sprengeri) and
‘“babies’-tears’’ (Helxine) listed as ferns. I am sure
that the compilers of the catalog know better but feel im-
pelled to go along with the irradicable popular idea that
asparagus is a fern, but there seems to be no reason at
all for classing Helxine as a fern, for it is anything but
fernlike and is not thought of as a fern by gardeners,
who think of it as a ground cover of the same class as
Dichondra. Tt might be mentioned that the photograph
labelled Polystichum aculeatum certainly does not repre-
sent this species; it is apparently the plant called P.
coriaceum, which is now properly called either Poly-
stichum adiantiforme or Rumohra adiantiformis (the
“‘leather-fern’’ of commerce ),
One of the better offerings of house ferns and green-
1958 DEALERS’ CATALOGS 75
house varieties is from Tropical Paradise, 3810 Bales
Avenue, Kansas City 28, Missouri, which is run by one of
our members, Mrs. H. E. Dillard. Among the plants
offered are Blechnum brasiliense, B. gibbum, Davallia
fejeensis and D. Mariesii, Microlepia speluncae, Wood-
wardia orientalis, several kinds of tree-ferns, and various
cultivars of Nephrolepis and Pteris. Adiantum curvatum
is listed, an excessively rare species, if it is correctly
named. The same might be said of the plant listed as
Davallia tenuifolia, which, if correctly identified, is a
synonym of the plant properly called Sphenomeris chin-
ensis. In addition to ferns, Mrs. Dillard specializes in
begonias and Gesneriaceae. Unfortunately, her catalog
is marred by numerous misspelled scientific names.
Another firm offering a few ferns for house plants is
Barrington Greenhouses, 860 Clements Bridge Road,
Barrington, New Jersey. The ferns are mostly a rather
common lot, but some of the other greenhouse plants of-
fered are exceedingly rare, including a number of
Gesneriaceae. The catalog is much more carefully made
up and edited than many are; brief descriptions of many
of the novelties are included.
A few house ferns are offered by the Country Green-
houses, Cook Hill Road, Danielson, Connecticut, along
with many geraniums, fuchsias, begonias, and other
tender plants.
For California growers and for those elsewhere with
greenhouses, the California Jungle Gardens, 11977 San
Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles 49, California, can be
recommended.’ This firm specializes in large-leaved
exotic plants, such as palms, cyeads, bromeliads, and
species of the banana, elephant-ears, and ginger families.
A number of larger ferns are offered, including some that
are perhaps not offered elsewhere—Sadleria cyatheoides,
Aglaomorpha [Polypodium| coronans, Aglaomorpha
Meyeniana, Davallia solida, Adiantum trapeziforme, and
76 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
nine kinds of stag-horn ferns (Platycerium), the latter
quite expensive ($5.00 to $15.00 each), but reasonably so,
for propagation of these plants is a slow and tricky busi-
ness. One intriguing entry is an offering of a fern called
“‘Pellaea virgata,’’ said to be a ‘‘stunning fern that looks
much like a fine, large-leaved Adiantum.’’? I can not
guess what it may be; so far as I know, there has never
been a plant described botanically as Pellaca virgata.
A few western ferns are offered by Theodore Payne,
2969 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles 39, California—
Adiantum pedatum, Dryopteris arguta (called in the
catalog by the old name Aspidium rigidum argutum),
Athyrium filix-femina var. californicum, Polystichum
Dudley, P. munitum, Pteridium aquilinum var. pubes-
cens (called in the list Pteris aquilina lanuginosa, an
obsolete nomenclature), and Woodwardia Chamissoi (now
correctly called Woodwardia fimbriata). Mr. Payne
specializes in seeds of Californian wildflowers and plants
of western trees and shrubs.
SMITHSONIAN INstrTUTION, WasHINeToN, D. C.
A Study of the F ilmy Fern Trichomanes Boschianum
Rosert H. MoHLENBROCK AND JoHN W, VoicT
The filmy fern Trichomanes Boschianum, one of east-
ern North America’s rarest ferns, has been known to
occur at a single station in Illinois since 1923. Recent
visits to this station by the authors show the species still
to be thriving. Its unusual presence in IIlinois has led
the authors to make a study of this fern in regard to its
history, morphology, ecology, geography, and past col-
lections
The idathiues are indebted to the Missouri Botanical
Garden for privileges granted to them in the library and
herbarium, and to Mr. Raymond E. Hatcher, whose col-
lection of iiines bryophytes was utilized.
TRICHOMANES BoscHIANUM TE
HISTORY
Trichomanes Boschianum became known to science
through its discovery by Judge Thomas M. Peters in 1853.
On January 8 of that year, while exploring near the Sip-
sey River in the upper part of Hancock County (now |
_ Winston County), Alabama, Judge Peters discovered two
kinds of ferns that he had not seen before on wet sand-
stone bluffs. Puzzled by his new finds, he sent material
of each to Professor Asa Gray for determination. Gray
reported his identifications of the specimens in a paper
entitled ‘‘On the discovery of two new species of Tricho-
manes in the state of Alabama, one of which is new.’’*
In this report, Gray described the smaller species as new,
_ naming it T'richomanes Petersvi after its discoverer. The
other specimen he called Trichomanes radicans, a species
known previously only from the tropics and subtropics.
For eight years, this material went by that name. In
1861, Johann Wilhelm Sturm, working on the Hymeno-
phyllaceae, concluded that the Alabama specimens were
specifically distinct from 7’. radicans, and described them
as Trichomanes Boschianum in honor of his contempo-
rary Roelof Benjamin van den Bosch, one of the most
ardent students of the filmy fern family.
MorPHOLOGY
Trichomanes Boschianum is perennial and evergreen
with leaves either erect or, more usually, pendent. The
slender, creeping, wiry rootstocks are black or deep
brown and often widely branching. They are covered
with numerous deep brown filamentous hairs, these be-
ing most abundant where the leaves are attached. The
abundance of hairs diminishes as the plant becomes
older.
The light green, translucent leaves, which are only
1 Amer. Journ. Sci. IT, 15: 324, 325. May, 1853.
78 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
one cell in thickness (hence the name filmy fern), are
lanceolate or sometimes ovate-lanceolate and bi- or tri-
pinnatifid. In one specimen from Alabama (Underwood
s.n.), the fronds taper to the tip. The segments are ovate
and cut into linear divisions. The degree of cutting
varies considerably—in House 2096 from South Carolina
and Harvill & Segars 803, from Alabama, the leaves are
much dissected, and in Rule 1756, from Kentucky, the
divisions are more shallow and fewer in number. Several
gradations occur between these extremes. The tips of the
ultimate segments are mostly obtuse, and particularly so
in Spear s.n. from Alabama. The leaves range from 8 to
20 em. in length and are without stomata. The winged
rhachis is green when young, becoming brown or black
mm.) and are translucently winged, except near the base.
These, too, are sometimes beset with short brown hairs.
The venation is free, with the tips of the veins often
forking into the usually slightly bidentate apices of the
ultimate leaf segments. The veins are composed of
several layers of tissues. The sori are terminal on the
veins. The indusia are urn-shaped with the lower part
immersed in the leaf tissue. There may be one to four
indusia in each segment, arising from the leaf in the
short lobes or from the sinuses between these lobes.
They are 2-5 mm. long and truncate at the apex. From
the indusium the bristle-like receptacle (columella of Wil-
liamson, 1878) arises. It may reach a length of nearly
ten millimeters. From it are produced numerous small
sporangia in a spiral arrangement. The receptacle
usually persists long after the sporangia have been shed.
The lower and younger sporangia are sheathed by the
indusium; the upper and older are not concealed. The
sporangia are short-stalked and thin-walled, with a trans-
verse annulus that dehisces obliquely.
TRICHOMANES BoscHIANUM 79
The seldom-observed gametophyte is filamentous and
much branched and reminiscent of some filamentous
green algae.
EcoLoGy
Like most members of Hymenophyllaceae, T'richomanes
Boschianum is a plant of moist, shaded areas. It occurs
beneath overhanging rocks of very moist sandstone and
is usually at all times out of the sun’s direct rays. Zuck
(1939) reports it occurring on exposed siliceous rocks
in Monroe County, Tennessee. Frequently it grows in
grottoes just a few feet from limpid pools of water or
near falls where the spray of water helps to keep the
fronds continually moist. An analysis of the sandstone
substratum shows it to be acidic. Coker (1938) reports
the surface pH from the North Carolina station to be
5.45 and the interior pH to be 6.54, taken with a Beck-
man pH meter. At the Illinois station, spring wate1
issuing from beneath the bluff had a temperature of
57° F. on August 11, 1957.
The leaves of the filmy fern are adapted to moist
shaded conditions by their one-celled thickness and ab-
sence of stomates.
In North Carolina, Coker (1938) listed Asplenium
Trichomanes and Asplenium montanum as associates of
the filmy fern. In their discussion of the hemlock in
Alabama, Segars, et al (1951) listed Trichomanes Bosch-
ianum as an associated species, along with Asplenium
montanum, Asplenium pinnatifidum, Trichomanes
Petersii, Diphyscium cumberlandianum, Mnium pune-
tatum, Rhodobryum roseum, and Tetraphis pellucida.
The phanerograms included Orchis spectabilis, Juglans
cinerea, Betula lenta, Trautvetteria caroliniensis, Thalict-
rum clavatum, Boykinia aconitifolia, and Heuchera
parviflora var. Rugelit. These authors suggest that there
may be botanically significant differences in the micro-
FF IN JACKSON HoLLow, ILLINOIS
IGN W
x
IVNYNOf NYA NVOI
‘6h ANOIOA
9 TLVId
TRICHOMANES BoscHIANUM 81
climate between the places where hemlock (and hence
filmy fern) occurs and other areas.
The elevation of the stations for this species ranges
from 560 feet above sea level in Pope County, Ilinois, to
3000 feet in Macon County, North Carolina. The Pope
County station, Illinois, is in a great sandstone ravine
called Jackson Hollow. It was first discovered by Mary
Steagall in 1923 and later rediscovered by Julius R.
Swayne in 1950. The authors have made several visits
to this station during the last four years. The abundance
of the species at this station has diminished little during
the past thirty years. (Pl. 6). The rootstocks of the
filmy fern at Jackson Hollow are intertwined among
various bryophytes, notably the mosses Leucobryum
glaucum and Thuidium delicatum and the hepaties Baz-
zania trilobata and Pellia diphylla. Other cryptogams
found on moist sandstone bluffs in the vicinity of T'ri-
chomanes Boschianum are Diphyscium foliosum, P lagio-
chila asplenioides, Scapania nemorosa, Leucolejeunea
clypeata, Tetraphis pellucida, Calypogeia Trichomanes,
and numerous others.
The mesic ravines of Jackson Hollow are dominated by
white oak (Quercus alba), sugar maple (Acer saccha-
rum), and beech (Fagus grandifolia), these three mak-
ing up about 60% of the trees. Flowering dogwood
(Cornus florida), redbud (Cercis canadensis ), Hop Horn-
beam (Ostrya virginiana), white elm (Ulmus americana),
and white ash (Frazxinus americana) are common. Herb-
aceous species, many of which are unusual in southern
Illinois, include three orchids (Goodyera pubescens,
Corallorrhiza Wisteriana, and Orchis spectabilis ), louse-
wort (Pedicularis canadensis), liverleaf (Hepatica acuti-
loba), and various sedges including Carex Jamesii, C.
Careyana, and C. crinita. Besides the filmy fern, other
pteridophytes of note in the area are Lycopodium lucidu-
lum, Dryopteris austriaca var. intermedia, and Campto-
82 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
sorus rhizophyllus.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
The family Hymenophyllaceae, containing two large
genera (Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes), is widely
distributed, but is most prevalent in the tropics and sub-
br
bey
che ae
3 ok
90 80
Fig. 1. GkOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF TRICHOMANES BOSCHIANUM
tropics. Most of the species oceur in very moist, shaded
areas. A few extend northward, including Trichomanes
Boschianum.
Trichomanes Boschianum has been found in nine states,
most of which are in the southeastern section of the
United States (Fig. 1). It seems to be most frequent
TRICHOMANES BOSCHIANUM 83
in Kentucky and Alabama. Collections are from 27
scattered counties in the United States. In some counties,
it is known from several stations (Winston and Marion
in Alabama; Edmonson in Kentucky).
The most northern station for this filmy fern is in
Hocking County, Ohio, at about 39°40’ N. latitude. The
species extends southward to Hale County, Alabama, at
32°80’ e eastern limit is in Wayne County, West
Virginia (82°30’ W.) while the westernmost station is
in Pope County, Illinois (89°).
Nearly two-thirds of the collections have been from
Kentucky and Alabama. Tennessee has three stations.
Two stations are in South Carolina. Single localities
are recorded from Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, North
Carolina, and Georgia. Reports of this species from
Florida are either in error or are based on specimens no
longer in existence.
COLLECTIONS OF THE FILMY FERN
All specimens cited below are in the herbarium of the
Missouri Botanical Garden, except the Illinois specimens
and Rule 1756, which are in the herbarium of Southern
Illinois University. The Tennessee citations are taken
from Shaver, 1954.
ALABAMA: ErowaH: Reported by Graves (1920). FRANKLIN:
scapes by Graves (1920). Hate: Rocky glen, Havana, Decem-
r 21, 1898, Trelease s.n, JACKSON: Repor ted by Graves (1920).
eS Shady mares cliffs alone Tata River, north
edge of county, sa , 1933, Har : aes Moulton,
1865, Peters s.n.; eu sandstone gos 1873, Pet s.n.; under
cliff in canyon at waterfall on Sipsey River in ss ieutiens corner
of county, April 11, 1953, Hardin & Duncan 15343. Marion:
Pikeville, E. A. Smith s.n.; on dripping ledge, overhanging ipA
stone bluffs, along Dugan Greek, near old town of Pikeville, May 21
931, E. J. Palmer 38988; under overhanging sandstone cliffs on
Williams Creek, r its mouth, March 29, 1939, Harper 3709.
WALKER: Freque ae under sandstone cliffs, 1873, Peters s.n
Winston: Sandstone cliff, 1868, Peters s.n.; under eneaiing
84 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
rocks near Sipsey River, T8, a et. 10, oss 1, 1896, Underwood
em OTs
A)
=e
nm
co
fo)
Ss
fa)
a
e 8
oO
|
ct
z
eH
Yo
‘eg
A
“
pienie grounds, sont 22, 1949, Harvill & Segars 803.
GrorGia: Rasun: Dripping rocks, Rabun Bald, yeti 1-4, 1906,
é 232
LINOIS: Pope: Dripping siceiogs. hae Hollow, August
2, 1923, Steagall 37; near a spring, Jackson Hollow, T118, R5E,
sect. 31, August 17, 1950, Swayne 1136; cuss Hollow, Septem-
ber 15, 1951, Evers riage
Rineiony: BARREN: 1873, Hussey s.n. CARTER: 1872, Hill s.n.;
1874, Hussey s.n. mune: July, 1874, Hussey 1986; August, .
1878, Hussey 3767; Indian Hill, Brownsville, under sandstone cliff,
July 16, , Price smn.; the Gulf, July 5, 1897, Price s.n.
Wrigley and Blaze, March, 1950, Reed 183 POWEL ada
Tunnel, October, 1949, Reed 17505. Rock Under drip-
ping sandstone rocks on Wild Cat Mountain, near Livingston,
Wa
s.n. WHITLEY: Under a shaded oan rock ape June 9, ame
McFarland, Templeton, Malet ide oa Wo.re: Sk
Bridge State Park, March, ee ce i
NortH CaroLIna: Macon: In the sa ep Cullasaja ne Do on
Crow Creek, under the jae falls, 1938, Hechenbleikner
OunI0: Hockrne: Poe by omens (1935).
SourH CaRoLINA: OcoNEE: Tamassee Falls, 1700 feet, ange i
1906, House 2096. Pic oN Near a Fork Creek, Noy. 12,
1954 ( denen by Darling, 1
ENNESSEE: FRANKLIN: eat Bridge, Sewanee, Shaver 9839.
MONROE: po fiarance Lake, 1939, Zuck. Scorr: No Business
peer fteihas tac & Clebsch 3971.
tT VIRGINIA: WAYNE: Under dripping sandstone cliff, one
mile mat mein May 11, 1938, Gilbert & Plymale 712.
DEPARTMENT OF BoraNy, SouTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVER-
sITy, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS.
REFERENCES
- Bailey, W. M. & J. R. Swayne. 1952. pee aie Tilinois Plant
Records. Trans. Ill: Acad, Sei. 44:
TRICHOMANES BOSCHIANUM 85
Blomquist, H. L. & D. 8. Correll. 1940. A County Check-list of
North Carolina Ferns and Fern-allies. Journ. Elisha Mitchell
Sci. S 63-105.
Cobb, B. 1956. A Field Guide to the Ferns.
Coker, W. C. 1938. A Filmy Fern from North Carolina. Journ.
Elisha care Sci. uw 54:
Correll, D. S. 1938. A County Chek list of niainge ati and
Fern-allies. rant Fern Journ, 28: 11-16, 46-54, 100.
———_——. 1939. Some Southeastern Fern Notes: ae Fern
Journ, 29: 135-142.
Darling) T4955): A atts letter Day in South Carolina. Amer.
Fern Journ. 45: 138-1
Graves, E. W. 1920. ee ec Flora of Alabama. Amer. Fern
Journ, 10: 65-82.
1921, An Interesting Trip. Amer. Fern Journ. 11:
s6-88.
Gray, 1853. On the Discovery of Two New Species of
A seve in the gen dl aoe One of Which is New.
. Journ, Sei. II, 15
Seow, R. M. 1905. The Pathe Stor: of Georgia. Fern Bull. 13:
1-17.
ie J. T. 1917. Ferns Found in the Vicinity of Sewanee.
s. Tenn, Acad. Sei, 2: 66-68.
MeVaugh, R. & J. H. Pyron. 1951. Ferns of Georgi
Maxon, W. R. 1900. Notes on American Ferns. at Fern Bull.
8: 84—
: 5.
Reed, C. F. 1951. Notes on the Ferns of Kentucky, TH. < Prieh-
omanes Boschianum. Amer. Fern Journ. 41: 120-123.
Schaffner, J. H. 1935. ptey Fern Native in Ohio. Amer. Fern
ourn, 25: 17-18.
Segars, C. B., L. C. Crawford, & A. M. Harvill. 1951. The Oc-
currence and Distribution of Hemlock in Alabama. Ecology 32:
Shaver, J. M. 1954. Ferns of Tennes
Small, J. K. ais Ferns of the SAliaaeets States
ace P. D. & E.L. Core. 1952. Flora of West Virginia.
teens L. M. 1903. Notes on Southern Ferns. Torreya 3:
7-19.
Atinimaees Ue EBT O. pared of Kentucky.
You 1933. Ferns of se Sayer Cave National Park
Region, ees Fern Journ. 23: —116.
Zuck, R. K. 1939. ce “Boseianam Sturm in East
Tennessee, Amer. Fern Journ, 29: 1
86 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
A Note on Chromosome Numbers in Some Indian
Species of Equisetum
P. N. Meura aANp S. S. Bir
Equisetum Linn. is one of the oldest living genera of
vascular plants and is also the sole living representative
of a large and ancient group Equisetales. It comprises
about twenty-five species (Billington, 1952) of world-
wide distribution except for Australia and New Zealand.
For this reason a comparison of the cytological constitu-
tion of various species from different parts of the world
is desirable.
A study of the available literature (Clarke, 1880;
Baker, 1887; Stewart, 1951; and Schelpe, 1954) shows
that only four species of the genus, namely EF. arvense L.,
E. diffusum D. Don, E. ramosissimum Desf. (syn. E.
elongatum Willd.), and E. debile Roxb., have been re-
ported so far from India. Another species, E. robustum
A. Br., was reported to have been collected at Lahore by
Jacquemont and in Pondichery by Belanger (cf. Clarke,
l.c.; Baker, l.c.). However, Clarke pointed out that there
are no Indian specimens in the Kew bundle of FZ. robus-
tum. Since that time there is no record of this species
having been collected in any part of India and inasmuch
it is a species of the North American continent (cf.
Baker, l.c., and Manton, 1950), it is doubtful that it
actually oceurs in India at a
The cytology of all these species except Equisetum
debile has remained to be worked out. The latter was
studied by Ninan (1955) on material from southern
India. The present report records the chromosome num-
ber of this species from northern India and in addition
those of two other Indian species for which there has been
no previous data. These two species, namely E. dif-
fusum and E. ramosissimum var. altissimum A. Br.,
are usually inhabitants of hills and are common between
CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN EQUISETUM 87
5,000 to 7,000 ft. altitude in the Himalayas. Both of
these are abundant at Mossy Falls and Burning Ghat,
Mussoorie, in the Western Himalayas. At Darjeeling in
the Eastern Himalayas, the former species is common by
roadsides, and individuals of the latter occur singly
among the tea bushes near Lebong. Typical FE. ramosis-
simum is reported to oceur in Pahlgam, Kashmir (Stew-
art, 1951). It is interesting to note that in April the
young individuals of E. diffusum are characterised by
the presence of 1-3 underground tubers and very rarely
the specimens collected in September also bear these
(Pl. 7, f. 1). There is no previous mention of the presence
of tubers in this species. It seems that the earlier col-
lectors gathered the specimens only in mature condition
when the tubers are gone. These tubers generally consist
of one long swollen internode. The shoots arising from
the nodes of the rhizome have stunted growth and these
develop as the short thick tubers. E. ramosissimum var.
altissimum is characterised by its rather large size (up
to 10 ft.) and in having a thick stem with a large central
cavity. The main stem is simple or branched; in the
latter case up to six ascending branches are present at
the upper nodes only. The third species, E. debile, has
been reinvestigated from a cytogeographic point of view.
It is very common along river banks and water channels
throughout Panjab, ascending up to 2,000 ft. in the
Kangra District.
Medium-sized cones collected from wild sources were
fixed in 1:3 acetic aleohol for 48-72 hours. The usual
acetocarmine squash technique was followed. The pre-
served material gives good results even after four or five
months. Each species was examined from at least two
different regions (Eastern and Western Himalayas). It
is very easy to get divisions in the cone of Equisetum but
certain technical difficulties crop up which hinder exact
counting. Firstly, the cytoplasm in the spore-mother
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 49, PLATE 7
Fie. 1. a harlot DIFFUSUM, Mossy FALLS, Mussoont,
SHOWING TUBERS; Fic. 2, SPORE MOTHER CELL
DIFFUSUM, SHOWING 108 BIVALENTS AT KREG,
. 745
CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN EQUISETUM 89
cells of Equisetum diffusum and EF. ramosissimum var.
altissimum is slightly granular and stains quickly even if
very dilute carmine is used (Pl. 7, f. 2). Secondly, the
chromosome size and shape are variable and sometimes the
shapes are so peculiar as to easily suggest multivalent
pairing, this being more prominent in LE. debile particu-
larly. Thirdly, the chromosomes appear to be brittle
Fig. ..3. Expu oe DIAGRAM FOR FIG. 2, SPORE MOTHER
LL OF E. DIFFUSUM; x 870
and may break during squashing even with slight manual
pressure. The resulting fragments can easily be mis-
taken for small individual chromosomes. (Fig. 4). So,
for exact counting the results were confirmed from large
number of spore-mother cells in each case. The size
of bivalents at diakinesis is smaller in E. diffusum and
E. ramosissimum var. altissimum than in E. debile, and
they are somewhat more contracted (Figs. 3 and 5).
90 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
In all the three species the haploid chromosome num-
ber is n= 108 (Figs. 2-5) and thus the results are in con-
formity with those of Manton (1950) and Ninan (1955).
The meiosis is regular resulting in normal well-filled and
viable spores. There is no sign of hybridity or chromo-
somal races in any of the species.
Fig. 4. DIAKINESIS IN SPORE MOTHER CELL OF E, DEBILE,
SHOWING 108 BIVALENTS AND ONE BROKEN FRAGMENT
MARKED ‘F’; x 870
The general uniformity of cytological results for all
the species of the genus worked out so far (which are 17
in number) and the antiquity of the living species be
cause of their wide distributional range give one the
impression that evolutionary activities within the genus
Equisetum have come to an end. But actually this may
not be true, for three hybrids have been reported by
Manton (l.c.) from amongst a little over a dozen Kuro-
CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN EQUISETUM 91
pean species. From this it can be inferred that evolution
within the group is still at work to a certain extent,
howsoever slow the pace may be, and speciation can
possibly occur in the future. So far, about three-fourths
of the representatives of the genus have been worked out
cytologically.
There is no indication whatsoever of the manner in
which the high chromosome number n=108 has been
compounded. Whether euploidy or aneuploidy has
5
RAMOSISSIMUM VAR.
osis; x 870
Fig. 5. SPORE MOTHER CELL OF E.
ALTISSIMUM, WITH 108 BIVALENTS AT MEI
played a part cannot be assessed at this stage unless some
member with different monoploid number (high or low)
is detected. Here we seem to be dealing with only the
upper members of a series whose bases have been lost
The same haploid number for the European (Manton,
92 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
l.c.) and Indian (Ninan, l.c. and present authors) species
of the genus growing in tropical, subtropical, and tem-
perate climates is significant and is in complete contrast
to the behaviour of ferns under identical conditions.
We are thankful to Prof. R. R. Stewart for identifying
Equisetum ramosissimum var. altissimum and to Mr. R. 8.
Pathania for the photographs illustrating this note.
BotaNy DEPARTMENT, PANJAB UNIversIty, Amritsar,
India.
LITERATURE CITED
Baker, i G. 1887. Handbook of Fern Allies. George Bell & Sons,
Lon
biingtn, C. 1952. Ferns of Michigan. Cranbook Inst. Sci.
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S.A.
Clarke. 4 C. B. 1880. Review 2 Ferns of Northern India. Trans.
I. 1: 594-595.
Manton, I. 1950. Problems Set ytology and Evolution in the
Pteridophyta. Cambridge Univ. asa Cambridge, England.
Ninan, C. A. 1955. he gd of Equisetum debile Roxb, Journ.
Ind. Bot. Soe. 34: 112
Schelpe, E. A. 1954. foe observations on eo in
Kangra Himalaya. Amer. Fern Journ. 44: 49—
gistloakes i R. 1951. The ‘Waris of Pahlgam. sah Ind. Bot.
Soe. 137-142.
American Fern Society
Report of the Curator and Librarian for 1958
The most important news of 1958 is the contribution
by Professor Edgar T. Wherry, our former President,
of a collection of his excellent photographs of ferns and
lycosphens to the Society’s Library. The collection in-
cludes a series of over 400 negatives, representing among
them both common and rare species from all over the
United States. Each negative is contained in a glassine
envelope and is marked with a locality and the year it
AMERICAN F'ERN SOCIETY 93
was made. The series is divided into families and the
species alphabetized within each family. Should any of
our members need illustrations for an article, book, or
other purpose, let us know the species desired. If avail-
able, a glossy print, suitable for reproduction, will be
furnished at cost. I am sure that all the members of the
American Fern Society join me in expressing our great
thanks for this fine contribution.
The over-all use of the Library and Herbarium this
year has shown a definite increase over that in 1957. A
number of outside loans of books and specimens have
been made, and the facilities have also been used fre-
quently by visitors and students on the campus of the
University of Michigan. The outside borrowers of books
and (or) specimens have included, among others, D. J.
Hagenah, I. W. Knobloch, J. Cyrus Lloyd, and Donald
Branscomb. Mr. Branscomb kindly contributed over
twenty specimens of California ferns to the Herbarium
this year. I wish to express apologies for any delays or
mix-ups in our service during this period of organiza-
tion.
It is hoped that during 1959 some of the necessary
binding of volumes can be accomplished. There is also
a backlog of unmounted and undistributed specimens in
the Herbarium to be attended to; for the mounting of
specimens it is tentatively planned to use the new plastic
mounting technique. In this connection I should like to
suggest that collectors contributing mounted specimens
avoid the use of scotch-tape in preparing them; we have
found this tape to be troublesome and difficult to work
with
For those new members who are still unfamiliar with
our procedures, a description of them is given briefly in
the bottom paragraph of the inner cover of this Journal.
Respectfully submitted,
Warren H. WaGNER, JR.
Curator and Librarian
94 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Report of the Spore Exchange, 1958
To those of us who have watched the American Fern
Society Spore Exchange grow since its beginning (at the
suggestion of Dr. R. C. Benedict), it was gratifying to
be able to send out in the fall of 1958 a list of 175 avail-
able kinds of spores. All the spores listed have been
sent in within the past two years by 46 kind members
and friends of the Society. The list was sent out to all
those who had contributed or used spores during the
last two years or who had expressed an interest in the
Exchange—a total of nearly 100 members. The list is
still available to anyone requesting it. A supplementary
list is now being prepared for distribution which wil
bring the total number of species currently offered to
over 200.
Taking into account 1958 only, contributors slightly
outnumbered users, for the first time—contributors num-
bered 29 and users (who received 203 packets of spores)
21. These seem small numbers compared to the size of
the membership as a whole, but each year the number
grows a little, and as has been said before in these reports,
those who are interested are very, very interested, and
express real and sincere gratitude for the privilege of
using the Exchange to obtain spores.
Members who are fortunate enough to have green-
houses for their ferns will be interested to know that we
have promises of many rare and hard to obtain kinds
from several sources in the not too distant future. Re-
ports of these as they arrive will be sent to any members
requesting information. ( Stamped, addressed envelopes
will be appreciated. )
It is earnestly hoped that the friends of the Exchange
will again keep it in mind when the 1959 time for fertile
fronds comes around where you live or where you vaca-
tion. In order to make the exchange of real value, it is
necessary that fresh supplies of all ferns be on hand each
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY 95
year, for fern spores gradually lose their viability. There
will always be a goal not quite reached as we strive for
a more comprehensive list each year, and for more
friends to request spores to have the pleasure and reward
of growing them. Respectfully submitted,
KATHRYN BoypsTtoNn
Fernwood, Route 3,
Niles, Michigan
SuMMER FIELD-TRIP IN MINNESOTA PLANNED: Tentative
plans are under way to hold a field-trip in northeastern
Minnesota August 7 and 8, and possibly 9. A start will
be made from Duluth and the party will proceed north
along the western shore of Lake Superior to Grand
Marais, a beautiful region in which some interesting
ferns are to be seen. The trip will be led by Dr. Olga
Lakela, Department of Botany, University of Minnesota,
th, Minn.; enquiries should be addressed to her,
immediately.
New MEMBERS
Mrs. Sidney C. Alden, Albro Lane, Cedarhurst, Long Island, N. Y.
Dr. Floyd D. Anderson, 1334 Jefferson Street, Napa, California
Mr. William B. Armitage, 6591 Marlborough Avenue, Burnaby 1
British Columbia, Canada
Mr. Bertram Bakerman, 457 F. D. Roosevelt Drive, New York 2,
New York
Mrs. Nellie R. Blakesly, 115 Church Street, Kensington, Con
Mrs. Ben Cone, Bonaventure Road, Route 2, Box 508, Sav ak,
eorgia
Mr. Clyde E. Cristman, 153 neepee Street, Ashland, Mas
Mrs. Edythe Dailey, P. O. Box 1143, San Bernardino, Gantorsin
Mr. Richard Heviey, Sa a pibeanat University of Arizona,
Tucson,
Mrs. William a rear 20 Point Crescent, Malba, Whitestone 57,
Long Island, N. Y.
Mr. André Lawalée, Ave. Van Elderen 3, Brussels 16, Belgium
Mrs. Frances L. Moore, 1643 Walnut St., Berkeley 9, California
Mr. William oe Olden, 1361 West Avenue, Santa Rosa, California
Mr. Edward J. Probst, 101 West 23rd Street, New York 11,
Mr, Vernon W, Proctor, Department of Biology, Texas itschadlogs-
cal College, Lubbock, Texas
96 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Mrs Pook. Reedstrom, Reedstrom Nursery, 3265 Paradise Drive,
Cee Califor
Mr. John T. Reynolds, 900 West Michigan Ave., Chicago 11, Ill.
Mr. Ko Seto, ¢/o Osaka Municipal Museum, 2-chrome Utsubonaka-
dori Nishi-ku, Osaka, Japan (KTO)
Mr. Dale M. Smith, ened Department, University of Kentucky,
Lexington, Kentue :
Miss Bettie Smysor, at 2, 4202 North Henderson Road, Arling-
on, Virginia
Mrs. Daisy C. Todd, 237 Momterey Street, Brisbane, California
TA
Mr. Winslow R. Wood, 944 South Eucalyptus Avenue, ing neon: Ae
California
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
Mrs. ey Allen, 3645 East Lee Street, Tucson, Arizo
Mr. Walter S. Allen, 168 Cedar Hill at ue Nee Jersey
Dr. ae C. sippy pe t Knob, New
Mrs. William F. Bennett, 9371 East cae Bak Road, Temple
City, California
Mr. David E. eae par of Botany, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indi
Mrs. Edward H ose Sr., 127 East Emerson Street, Melrose 76,
epee etts
Dr. Delzie Demaree, 109 South Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Mr. Robert Eugene Divoky, 1168 East 78th Street, Kansas City 10,
Miss
Mr. Lewis A. Dyer, 47 Main Street, Rockport, Massachusetts
Mrs. oe H. Gliddon, 14 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, New
Hampshir
Mr. Jan E. bee 1427 East Palm Avenue, ee ener
Mr. teats Egan: 9 Plumtree Lane, Westport, Connee
Dr. Robert H. McCauley, Jr., 6405 Orchid oe ethane 14,
a
Mr. Charles Neidorf, 1604 East 22nd Street, Brooklyn 10, N. Y
Dr. Rodolfo Pichi- ee Istituto Botanico “Hanbury,” Via
Balbi 5, Genov taly
s. I ton, an ute 1, Box 283, North Bend, Washington
Mrs. Carol esac 535 West oe Street, Colton, California
Mrs. Lucille Evans Swendsen, 521 Worford Avenue, Vallejo, Calif.
Mr. Sanford Young, 532 North Thomas St., No. 1, Arlington 3,
Virginia
HENRY TRIPP
Successor to Henry George Fiedler
Scientific Books and Periodicals
Large stock of books on ferns
and cryptogamic botany
31 East 10th Street, New York 3, N. Y.
CASTANEA
Published by the
Southern i bag
Botanical Club
Devoted to the botany of the interesting Southern Appalachians.
Jaa Fra A Penis subscription, including membership
, $3.0
Address
Dr. Earu L, Cort, Editor
West Virginia University
Magners, West Virginia
FERNS
SPECIALISTS IN TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FERNS
We ship Price List Available
LEATHERMAN’S GARDENS
2637 North Lee Avenue —~—SCS orth El Monte, Calif..
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has has genera cas shared the benefits of his oe i long and successful expe
Histy fr. ths: memtcas botasiet, and hints for the ional col-
lector, abound in this thirty-six page illustrated treatise oe which Dr.
Johnston erat oh time tested techniques for pressing, p
— peppy me materials, —— methods are ‘outlined for for
tment of aquatic flowering plants, erns,
lichens and fungi. Specific suggestions are offered for record ata
in the field; for record keeping in the herbari
Que copy of the treatise is yours for the a asking. With it will
be included samples of Botanical Papers (Driers, Mounting
and Genus Covers) as well as data on Collecting Cases, Field Trowels, .
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- Sut ask for “a copy of the Johnston treatise”.
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Vol. 49 July-September, 1959 No. 3
American Sern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
ad
EDITORS
Cc. V. MORTON
R. C. BENEDICT IRA L. WIGGINS
A. C. SMITH
Cytotaxonomie Studies of Some American Species of
Dryopte ris cseccncrsnennennernttnrnermenmnasinmnstesnntn S. WaLKer 104 _
Ferns and gape Angeles Smog fi Sacre eee C. Benepict 114
Che American Hern Saoriety
Conuril far 1959
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
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fornia sident
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ecretary
Wattrr §. PHILLIPS, a i of Botany, University sd Ari-
zona, Tucson, Arizon Treasurer
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Editor- in-Chief
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A. ©. Sarre ........ Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D. C.
An illustrated quarterly devoted to the cmipal study of ferns.
Be Subscription, $2.35 per year, foreign, 10 cents extra; sent free
— ‘members of the AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY ome dues,
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Extra oe att ordered in advane , Wi ve authors
at cost. ee agin when proof is ret
Back yo single back numbers "te cents each
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orders of six volumes or more.
2 's saathnonian pebiieation should be a adromeed oo¥ Morton, 7
American Fern Journal
Vou. 49 JULY-SEPTEMBER No. 3
American Grapeferns Resembling Botrychium
ternatum: A Preliminary Report’
W. H. Waener, JR.
During the nineteenth century the species and varie-
ties of evergreen grapeferns (Botrychium, Subgenus
Sceptridium) in North America were usually identified
as Botrychium ternatum (Thunb. ) Swartz. Underwood’
in 1898 pointed out that Milde had been ‘‘followed more
or less implicitly by English and American botanists”’
in confusing the American species with B. ternatum of
Japan and continental Asia. It was stated by Under-
wood that ‘‘No one, who holds any modern view of spe-
cies, who has seen genuine specimens of B. ternatum
from Japan, could hold for a minute that it was the same
as the various species that occur in North America, and
would adopt at once Prantl’s masterly definition of this
thin-leaved species with such a natural geographic
ranee.’’ Since Underwood’s treatment of this group of
grapeferns, the name B. ternatum has been confined to
plants of Asia—Japan, China, and India—and the spe-
cies has not been acknowledged to occur in the New
World. My own studies, however, indicate that B. ter-
natum or a plant closely related to it does oceur in North
America, and, in fact, possesses a rather wide range. I
fail to find that this plant, whatever its ultimate identity
will prove to be, has been treated in the literature, and
1 Research supported by a grant from the H. H. Rackham
School, University of Michigan.
2 Torrey Bot. Club Bull. 25 (no. 10): 521-634. :
[Volume 49, Number 2, of the JOURNAL, pp. 65-96, was issued
July 7, 1959.]
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VoLUME 49, PLATE 8
10 cm.
“BOTRYCHIUM TERNATUM,” LEAF TYPE EXTREMES FROM ONE LOCAL-
ity, IpA Twr., MonROoE Co., MicH., WAGNER 8670.
BoTRYCHIUM TERNATUM 99
it is hoped that this discussion will call attention to its
peculiarities.
During the course of field studies of the evergreen
grapeferns of Michigan covering the past seven years,
I had occasionally met a rather finely divided plant of
. distinctive appearance, which did not conform with any
of the more common species with which it grew, namely
B. dissectum or any of its diverse forms, B. multifidum,
or B. oneidense. I had usually considered this plant to
be perhaps a diseased or otherwise abnormal variant,
until in the fall of 1958 I encountered, for the first time,
a truly sizeable population. Later field investigations
have proved that the unusual plant is widespread in
Michigan; and preliminary herbarium observations show
that it ranges over a large area of the northern states.
The field work is continuing at the present time. The
report to be given here is intended to call the attention
of other botanists to the existence of this plant, in the
hope that we may be able to determine the full extent
of its range.
Comparison of the odd plant with materials in the
American Fern Society Herbarium and in the Edwin
B. Copeland Herbarium show that it cannot be distin-
euished on any characters as yet known to me from the
true B. ternatum of Asia. This species is readily dis-
tinguished in the living state from the other species of
Botrychium with which it grows, but it is somewhat less.
easy to identify in the dried state. The plant has un-
questionably been overlooked in many areas, as it was in
Michigan, and I believe that these notes should be of
help to others. I hope to make a much more detailed
report on this plant in relation to its immediate relatives
in the near future.
Before presenting notes on the occurrence and distin-
enishing features of the American plant resembling
Botrychium ternatum, I should like to emphasize sev-
100 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
eral points. The first is that, in studying the evergreen
erapeferns, it is essential to obtain a sample comprising
a number of specimens if possible. As I have pointed
out elsewhere, our experience shows that there is no
need to worry about destroying a colony if the collector
is careful to remove leaves above the base of the petiole. .
The second is that grapeferns of this group are extremely
variable according to habitat and, also, to age of plant.
In the open, dry habitats, such as grassy, upland fields,
a species will have an entirely different aspect (seg-
ments broader, approximate or overlapping; texture
thick; the fertile ‘‘panicle’’ disproportionately large
and much branched) from those in deeply shaded, moist
habitats (the segments narrower, remote; texture thin
and membranous; fertile ‘‘panicle’’ narrow or absent).
Very young specimens do not necessarily pe fertile
structures. Under certain conditions, in fac
plants only a few inches tall may produce the pane
panicles,’’ and these plants have a striking appear-
ance, wholly distinct from the normal, much larger
orm of the species. The differences between single in-
dividuals of Botrychiuwm are often so subtle that careless
pressing makes a plant, which was well marked in the
growing state, barely recognizable on the herbarium
sheet without removal and treatment. If a specimen is
taken in July or August (at least under the conditions
of the Great Lakes area) it will appear more or less
membranous when pressed; if taken in the fall, winter,
or spring, it will be more leathery and opaque when
pressed. As an illustration of some of our difficulties,
one of the problems that has faced us in our study is
the commonly repeated statement that the species Botry-
chium oneidense (also treated as a variety or form of
B. dissectum or B. multifidum) is ‘‘thin-textured.’’ arene D. na Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 4. 1825.
Sesh s ida O. Kuntze, aie Gen. Pla nt: 22-812.) L89l.
Cyclosorus vaca idan: pets Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., Bot. Ser. 8:
194. 1938.
THELYPTERIS extensa (Blume) Morton, comb. no
Aspidium extensum beard Enum. Pl, ete
Dryopteris extensa O, K , Rev, Gel oi ant, 2: 812. 1891.
atorest extensus ania ey Fan Shou Inst. Biol. Bot. Ser.
: 182. 1938.
chat heterocarpa (Blume) Morton, comb. no
Aspidiwm heterocarpum Blume, Enum, Pl. Jav. Ne: 1828.
carpa O
sig See ga fst ed Ching, Bull. Fan Mem, Inst. Biol., Bot.
Ser 180.
Seeaihtt unita Ag Morton, comb. no
Polypodium unitum L. Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 8: 1326. 1759.
Dryopteris unita O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant. 2: 811. 1891
Cyclosorus swith Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., Bot. Ser. 8
92. 1938,
THELYPTERIS multilineata (Wallich ex Hook.) Morton, comb. nov.
Polypodium multilineatum Wallich ex Hook. Sp. Fil. 5: 11. 186.
1864.
r
~
Dryopteris moulmeinensis (Beddome) C. Chr., Ind. Fil.
19
05.
Abacopteris multilineata Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol., Bot.
Ser. 8: 253. 1938 [‘“multilineatwm”].
1 This JournaL 48: 140, 141. 1958.
114 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
As pointed out by Holttum,? the genus Abacopteris is
searcely distinguishable from Cyclosorus, and thus must
also be now referred to Thelypteris.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Ferns and Los Angeles Smog
R. C, BENEDICT
Los Angeles ‘‘smog’’ is merely a specially well-known
example of the unpleasant and harmful results of urban
and industrial activities. Recently, a scientific study of
its effects on plant life has begun. Dr. Ruth Ann Bobrov
Glater has reported on damage to fern leaves in the
article ‘‘Smog Damage to Ferns in the Los Angeles
Area.’"' Since this is a matter of importance to fern
gardeners, we quote below some of the remarks from Dr.
Glater’s paper.
‘‘Smog’’ is ‘fa complex of liquids, solids, and gases,
comprising more than 50 chemical elements and com-
pounds, and producing, among other effects, low visibility,
eye irritation, crop damage, excessive rubber cracking,
and odor nuisances. Plant damage is considered to be
due to certain intermediate peroxidie products resulting
from the chemical combination of unsaturated hydro-
carbons with the ozone of the atmosphere. Certain spe-
cies of vegetables, ornamentals, and weeds were found to
be singularly sensitive to smog. .
‘‘Recently, a new symptom was heeeas in ferns in
response to the polluted air of Los Angeles. In the field
as well as under lath, fern leaves showed characteristic
markings following a period of high smog intensity. The
gross symptoms were quite distinct from those previously
reported on other plants. Damage manifested itself as
2 Ferns of Malaya 285. 1954
1 Phytopathology 46: 696-698. figs. 1-5. 1956.
FERNS AND SMOG 115
a tan spotting of leaflets, followed by local or general
dehydration of affected areas, ending in complete necrosis
of the entire leaf.’’
The species specially studied (and illustrated) by Dr.
Glater were Microlepia platyphylla (abundant in the
Fern Dell in Griffith Park) and Blechnum (Lomaria)
gibbum (less common).
‘* Approximately 24 hours following the incidence of
smog, tan lesions, commonly near the smaller veins, ap-
pear on the leaflets. At this time, damage to the cells
directly above the stomata can be seen with a microscope.
Since the spongy mesophyll is a very loose tissue, the
smog-laden air easily penetrates through the entire leaf.
Within 48 hours, part or all of a damaged frond may be-
come completely dehydrated, turn brown and brittle, and
crumble on pressure. ... An entire frond or isolated por-
tion of individual fronds on a given plant may be dam-
aged. Old, middle-aged, and young leaves appear to be
equally sensitive. The growing tip of the plant, with its
spirally uncoiling developing leaves, usually is not dam-
aged. Occasionally, following a long and severe smog
period, a young plant may be completely killed, growing
point and all. More commonly the plant will continue
growth, albeit slowly. Stems, roots, and all vascular
elements of the plant remain uninjured.
‘‘The general response of the cells of fern leaves to
smog is similar to that described in other plants, but
differs in two ways: 1) in the random distribution of
damaged markings as contrasted with the restricted smog
damage pattern observed in other plants and 2) in the
extreme sensitivity of the plant, a condition that results
in complete necrosis of many leaves. The specific expres-
sion of damage in ferns may be attributable to the ex-
treme sponginess of the laminal tissue, through which
polluted air can move easily and rapidly, and to the weak
suberization of cell walls.’
116 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Ferns in Cultivation, I
Sytvia LEATHERMAN
Many people have difficulty growing ferns in clay
pots, especially as house plants or in areas with hot sum-
mer temperatures. Upon tapping a fern out of a pot
to shift it to the next size pot study the root formation.
The roots twine and wrap themselves next to the inside
wall of the pot. The clay pot is porous, the main reason
for the use of a clay pot, and being porous the pot be-
comes dry and in turn the roots suffer from this dry
condition.
The double pot method, which I have recommended
to many people who are now growing potted ferns suc-
cessfully, is an ideal way to grow your ferns under ad-
verse conditions. A clay pot about four inches larger
in diameter than the potted fern is used. In the bottom
of this pot place a piece of crockery over the drainage
hole. On top of this fill in with charcoal and pea gravel,
using enough material so when you place your potted
fern in this pot the tops of the two pots are level. Fill
in the space between the two pots with sphagnum moss
or peat moss.
The inner pot, the one where your fern is growing,
will then remain damp and cool and this is beneficial to
your fern as ferns love to grow where their root system
is kept cool and moist. Ferns will not tolerate dry roots.
Some people have reasoned, and wrongly, that to over-
come this condition of the roots, they could plant their
fern in a glazed pot. Porous pots, for numerous reasons,
should be used. Would you want your feet encased in a
container which received no air and became stagnant?
2637 Norra Lee Avenur, Eu Monte, CauirorNia
Recent Fieutp Nores 117
Recent Field Notes
THoMAS DARLING, JR.
ASPLENIUM TRUDELLII IN WEST VIRGINIA
On August 24, 1958, Dr. James W. Johnston, Jr., of
Georgetown University, and I drove to Trout Pond, in
the George Washington National Forest, Hardy County,
south of Wardensville, the only natural lake (really just
a pond) in West Virginia. On a pinnacle-like cliff in
the vicinity we found quite a number of plants of the
interesting rock-fern hybrid Asplenium Trudellu (A.
montanum x pinnatifidum) along with both parents.
The specimens of the hybrid were relatively small com-
pared with the luxuriant plants I have seen west of
Wardensville and near French Creek, West Virginia.
In the latter localities fronds occasionally attain a length
of eight inches or more. All three of these stations for
A. Trudellii are known to local botanists.
DRYOPTERIS FRAGRANS AND WOODSIA GLABELLA IN THE
CATSKILLS
Back in 1940 Edward M. Shields, of Haines Falls,
New York, discovered three rarities in the Catskill
Mountains which had previously only been found many
miles to the north. He published an account of his dis-
ecoveries in an article in the Fern Journal entitled
‘‘Poreupines and Ferns.’’* These unusual ferns were
Dryopteris fragrans (Fragrant Fern), Woodsia gla-
bella (Smooth Woodsia), and Woodsia alpina (Alpine
Woodsia).
When I visited Mr. Shields at his summer home in
the Catskills in the summer of 1958, we revisited the
native haunts of two of these rare ferns. On June 30th,
we explored the cliffs where D. fragrans had been found
1 This JOURNAL 33: 57-59. 1943.
118 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
at the southern limit of its range. As related by Mr.
Shields in the 1943 Journal, ‘‘It will always be a matter
of utter amazement to me that these stations on the ram-
parts of the Hudson, almost within sight of the city of
New York, had not before been reported.’’ He con-
tinues by saying that literally hundreds of these ferns
were to be found on the cliffs. Now, nearly twenty years
later, the same ‘‘status quo’’ prevails. If anything, the
plants are even more numerous than before. The treach-
erous terrain, with its high inaccessible cliffs and breath-
taking views over the surrounding countryside, is not
attractive to vandals bent on the destruction of this
rarity.
The next day, July first, we explored the area where
Woodsia glabella had been found. Here the situation
was reversed. Painstaking search resulted in the discov-
ery of only two small plants, where previously many
more had been in evidence. Whether due to adverse
weather conditions or over-collection, this graceful and
attractive fern appears doomed to extinction in this
loeality.
My host informed me that Woodsia alpina, although
extremely scarce, was to be seen in the mountains some
distance away. Unfortunately, lack of time prevented
my making this interesting trip.
ASPLENIUM BRADLEYI IN PENNSYLVANIA
The rare fern Asplenium Bradleyi was once luxuriant
and plentiful in certain ravines along the lower Sus-
quehanna River in Lancaster and York Counties, Penn-
sylvania. This was the situation encountered by the
late John K. Small in 1890 while he was still a student
at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsyl-
vania. Many beautiful specimens were collected by him
and deposited in various herbaria during those early
days. Then, following a long period of extreme drought,
REcENT Fievtp Notes 119
the blasting away of cliffs to permit railroad relocations,
and over-collection by thoughtless individuals, A. Brad-
leyz almost totally disappeared from the scene. In the
years between 1937 and 1941, when I spent considerable
time searching the area, this fern was known to local
collectors and others at only one location, near Marietta,
where I found it to grow sparingly.
Looking through the old Fern Journals, I was inter-
ested to note in Volume I (1911) an article by Harold
W. Pretz of Allentown, Pennsylvania, entitled ‘‘An In-
teresting Find.’’ It described the discovery of A. Brad-
leyi on the high cliffs overlooking the Lehigh River near
Glen Onoko, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.2 There
are only two records of this species having been collected
farther north, in the state of New Yor
On October 21, 1956, after consulting Mr. Pretz as
to the approximate location, C. V. Morton and I care-
fully explored the same cliffs where this rarity had been
discovered 45 years previously, but to no avail. Either
the fern was overlooked, or it had disappeared due to
unfavorable climatic conditions.
While visiting Mr. Shields in the Catskills, I learned
that he had discovered a small colony of A. Bradley: in
October, 1942, in Muddy Run Ravine, Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania. He told me that it was located ‘‘ possibly
a quarter of a mile from the railroad tracks, about three-
fourths the way up the slope, and on a large boulder
rather than a cliff.’’
Although it was much like looking for a needle in a
haystack, on October 19, 1958, sixteen years after the
reported discovery, I found my way into this ravine and
began a methodical search. Since I could not locate the
large boulder after several hours’ search, the trip
seemed destined to failure. Before giving up, however,
2 This JOURNAL 1: 137-141. 1911.
120 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
I climbed to the very summit of the slope and examined
the perpendicular rock ledges in this area. Here, much
to my satisfaction, I finally succeeded in finding plants
of A. Bradleyi at scattered intervals. They were not
large, but appeared luxuriant. It is to be hoped that
this rare species is staging a comeback in this locality.
Although A. pinnatifidum was also found in these cliffs,
there was no sign of the hybrid, A. Gravesu.
DryopTeris LEEDSI IN MARYLAND
In 1931 the late Arthur N. Leeds discovered a colony
of the woodfern hybrid Dryopteris Goldiana x D. mar-
gynalis on the bank of the Susquehanna River, below the
Conowingo Dam in Harford County, Maryland. Ten
years later Dr. Wherry visited the locality, noted at
least 200 individual plants of all sizes, and suggested the
name ‘‘D. Leedsii’’ in an erin entitled, ‘‘A Woodfern
Hybrid Deserves a Name.
On October 18, 1958, I visited this colony and found
a number of plants of the hybrid in a limited space of
time. One specimen was larger than the maximum
height of 150 em. previously recorded by Dr. Wherry.
The clump was at least six feet tall, though at this season
of the year most of the fronds were prostrate. Although
one of the parent plants (D. marginalis) is present in
this locality, the other (D. Goldiana) is totally absent.
Dr. Wherry’s theory is that the spores of D. Goldiana
were blown there from some distance away, and germi-
nated to form prothallia which yielded sperms to fer-
tilize some D. marginalis, but since the habitat is not
suitable to the former, the Goldiana gametophytes never
developed into sporophytes of that species itself. The
nearest colony of D. Goldiana known in recent years is
on a farm about two miles to the northwest.
3 Bartonia 21: 1, 2. 1942.
REcENT Fietp Notes 121
FutTme SearcH FoR ASPLENIUM KENTUCKIENSE AND
A. STOTLERI IN WEsT VIRGINIA
On October 5, 1957, accompanied by Dr. James W.
Johnston, Jr., I journeyed to the cliffs of the Shenan-
doah River, east of Charles Town in Jefferson County,
West Virginia, in an effort to discover the rare rock-fern
hybrid A. kentuckiense, a cross between A. platyneuron
and A. pinnatifidum.*
Since these cliffs extend for several miles along the
east side of the river, we chose to concentrate our search
in a limited area near the dam. Although we found
A. platyneuron common throughout, along with scattered
A. pinnatifidum, there was no sign of the hybrid.
On July 20, 1958, I explored the area south of the dam
to a point opposite the south end of Snyder Hill, again
with no success. Here A. pinnatifidum is locally plenti-
ful in spots, with A. platyneuron abundant everywhere.
It would be difficult to imagine a more likely place for
A. kentuckiense. On some ledges both parent plants
grew out of the same erevice. The hybrid, however,
seems to be extremely rare, even in favorable localities.
I have made many trips to the Maryland Heights area
across the Potomac from Harpers Ferry and to the
nearby Weverton cliffs, where both parents grow in close
proximity, but have failed to uncover the hybrid.
Having found this fern so difficult to locate in its
native habitat, I have repeatedly attempted to raise it
artificially from spores of the parent plants as I sue-
ceeded in doing with A. Gravesti,® but I have not been
successful as yet.
On October 26, 1958, accompanied by Dr. Johnston
and James E. Benedict: I again visited the Jefferson
County cliffs. This time the object of our search was
This JOURNAL ate 104, 105. 1936; 48: 39-43. 1958. Evolu-
Gon 8: 113-116.
5 This JOURNAL 47: 55-66. 1957.
122 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
A. Stotleri near Keys Ferry at the northern extremity
of the high ledges below the dam.* This extremely ie
Appalachian spleenwort was once believed to be t
cross between A. platyneuron and A. pinnatifidum ee
considered A. kentuckiense), but a more recent conjec-
ture is that A. Stotleri represents the hybrid between
A. pinnatifidum and A. trichomanes.
Following directions given by Dr. Wherry, we found
our way to a high ledge opposite the power plant which
Mr. Benedict, who had visited the Stotleri cliff when the
fern was still in evidence, felt positive was the exact
spot, but the rarity was not to be seen. Asplenium
Stotleri, incidentally, has been found only on this single
cliff in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Dr. Wherry,
after revisiting the locality several years ago, wrote me
that he considered the fern essentially extinct. At that
time a few sporelings of A. Stotleri were to be seen, but
were being crowded out by A. platyneuron.
382 37TH Paces, S8.E., Wasnineton, D. C.
Recent Fern Literature
MEDICINAL Frrns:—In ‘‘Medicinal Plants of the
Philippines,’’! a work published some years ago which
has just come to our attention, 18 pages are devoted to
the pteridophytes. Apparently, many of these plants
are well known in the Philippine Islands and in common
use. Altogether, 30 species are described and discussed
at some length. As is usual in folk medicine, the uses
vary from the reasonable, such as infusions used as
anthelmintics or astringents, to the fanciful-remedies for
tuberculosis, beri-beri or snake-bite—C. V. Moron.
6 This JouRNAL 19: 135, 136.
1929.
e ae: Dept. of ’Agrie. & Natural Resources Technical
u
Recent FERN LITERATURE 123
THE GENERA OF GLEICHENIACEAE.—A reappraisal of
the genera of Gleicheniaceae by Dr. R. E. Holttum de-
serves careful study; this is contained especially in two
recent papers—‘On the Taxonomic Subdivision of the
Gleicheniaceae, with Descriptions of New Malaysian Spe-
cies and Varieties,’ and ‘‘ Morphology, Growth-Habit,
and Classification in the Family Gleicheniaceae,’’? in
which much of the same material is presented, although
from different points of view. In Christensen’s Index
Filicum, only two genera are recognized—Stromatopteris
and Gleichenia—whereas Copeland, in his Genera Fil-
icum, recognized six, and more recently Nakai tried to
recognize even more and to divide the family into two
subfamilies. Holttum has shown that the primary char-
acter stressed by Nakai, namely trilete versus monolete
spores, is unnatural, and that both kinds of spores can
occur even within a single species (Dicranopteris
linearis). He has shown also that one of the genera
recognized by Copeland, namely Platyzoma, should not
be referred to the Gleicheniaceae at all; it apparently
finds its closest alliance with the genus Jamesonia (of the
Polypodiaceae, s. l.). The genus Dicranopteris differs
in several important characters from the others and can
conveniently be given generic status. The other genera
recognized by Copeland—Gleichenia, Sticherus, and
Hicriopteris—are much closer and are best united as sub-
genera of Gleichenia. Holttum shows that the group
called ‘‘Hicriopteris’’? by Copeland is not properly so
called, the type and only original species being a Dicra-
nopteris; as a subgenus this group becomes Diplop-
terygium. The name Sticherus disappears also, to be
replaced as a subgenus by Mertensia. Holttum’s key
will be permanently valuable; it is reproduced below:
1 Reinwardtia 4: 257-280. 1957.
2 Phytomorphology 7: 168-184. 1957.
124 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
1. Fronds unbranched (apart from occasional true dichotomy),
borne on erect branched stems arising from a_ ereepin
rhizome ; stellate or Saahahied hairs lacking on vegetative parts
of inne; paraphyses in the form of small irregular scales
Stromat hbk appa only genus Stro oe
(forked), ily many sa with dormancy eri or
i a rne
en
direetly on a creeping rhizome; stellate or layne arth or
fringed scales, or both, always present on igo part of
plant Subfam geo owe:
2. Hairs stellate with rays consisting of eae cells, or simple
and very short; scales peltate, with fringe of outgrowths
from marginal cell (in G. laevissima margins entire) ; sori
of 2-4 large ee with paraphyses; lateral veins in a
lobe of the lamina simple or once-forked. erie ichenia
3. Ultimate branches pinnate with deeply lobed Te vaflet
4. Dormaney confined to a periodie condition of the
i frond;
branch continuing the main rachis th ond
lobes of lamina each with costule and once-forked
lateral veins; sori several on eac chen
subg. Diplopterygium (Hicriopteris of auth.)
4. Dormancy often occurring, and persistent, on other
branches of the frond; lobes of aaa sea with
wes and veinlets all simp le; a
Gleichenia sabe eebhew
3. Uiediaste: at ae hes bearing a deeply pinnatifid lamina, its
lobes entire or ke toothed
Gleichen ubg. i ostenpia (Sticherus Presl).
2. Hairs consisting of a row a cells, with one or more branches
a
a,
lateral veins in a lobe of the lamina for
ier: ene
5. An accessory branch, of the same form as the ultima
branches, often present on the basiscopic side at the base
of soe branch from a aa vascular system of rhizome
a protostele 0... Dicranopteris subg. Dicranopteris
5. eiones rere lacking; vascular system of rhizome a
solenostele oo... Dicranopteris subg. Acropterygium
RECENT FERN LITERATURE 125
The genus Stromatopteris is an excessively rare one,
confined to the island of New Caledonia. Gleichenia
subg. Gleichenia is strictly Old World, occurring in
Africa, Australia, and Malaysia. Gleichenia subg.
Diplopterygium is primarily Old World also, but there
is one New World species, G. Bancroftii. Dicranopteris
subg. Dicranopteris includes the common Old World
species D. linearis and its allies, and the widespread
American D. flexuosa, the Brazilian D. nervosa, and three
little known South American species D. rufinervis, D.
Schomburgkiana, and D. seminuda. The subg. Acrop-
terygium includes only the common American species D.
pectinata. All the other New World species are referable
to Gleichenia subg. Mertensia.
Dr. Holttum is to be congratulated on this work, which
constitutes an important advance in our knowledge of this
family. He has a better understanding of the genera
than Copeland, Ching, or Nakai had, and his results de-
serve to be widely accepted —C. V. Morton.
FERNS OF CHINA:
There is a recent publication (dated 1958) with a title
in Chinese that may be translated as Flora of the North-
east Province, I. The chief editor is Liou Tchen-ngo.
The ‘‘Northeast Province’’ referred to is that part of
China formerly known as Manchuria, or briefly before
the last war as Manchukuo. It is situated between Korea
on the south and Siberia on the north and east, and is
bounded on the west by the Mongolian Republic. This
first part of the flora deals with the Pteridophyta. The
author is apparently not indicated, but it may well be
R. C. Ching, who is again active in botanical work in
China; the style of the citations is that of Ching. The
treatment is in Chinese throughout, except for the de-
scription in an appendix of three new species and one
new variety in Latin. However, the Latin names of the
126 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
plants enable one to gain an idea of the flora, and some
of the species are illustrated by line drawings.
The region is all north of Lat. 40° N., and consequently
is in the temperate zone. Quite a number of the species
represented are boreal species known from Europe and
Siberia, and a good many occur in boreal North America
also. Among the familiar names are Ophioglossum vul-
gatum, Botrychium Lunaria, B. ramosum (i.e. matricari-
ifolium), B. multifidum, B. robustum, B. virginianum,
Osmunda cinnamomea, O. Claytoniana, Pteridium aqui-
linum, Adiantum pedatum, Camptosorus sibiricus, As-
plenium Ruta-muraria, Athyrium acrostichoides (2.¢.
thelypterioides), Athyrium multidentatum (A. Filizx-
femina var. multidentatum), Cystopteris fragilis, @ymno-
carpium Dryopteris, Thelypteris Phegopteris, T. palu-
stris, Matteuccia Struthiopteris, Onoclea sensilis, Woodsia
glabella, W. ilvensis, Dryopteris austriaca, D. fragans,
Polystichum Braunii, Polypodium virginianum, Marsilea
quadrifolia, Salvinia natans, Lycopodium Selago, L. ob-
scurum, L. annotinum, L. alpinum, L. clavatum, Sela-
ginella sibirica (rupestris £. sibirica Milde), Equisetum
arvense, E. sylvaticum, E. pratense, E. palustre, E. heleo-
charis (fluviatile), E. scirpoides, E. variegatum, and E.
hyemale. Thus a visitor from New England should feel
quite at home among the ferns of Manchuria. Still, the
flora is richer in ferns than New England, and there are
a number of more or less unfamiliar plants, such as
Gonocormus [Trichomanes] minutus, Microlepia pilo-
sella [doubtless similar in habit to Dennstaedtia in the
United States], Davallia Mariesii, Aleuritopteris [Cheil-
anthes| argentea, Coniogramme intermedia, Gymnopteris
bipinnata, Pleurosoriopsis M akinoi, Cyrtomium falcatum,
Phymatodes |Polypodium] hastata, Pyrrosia spp., and
several unusual-looking species of Woodsia, Dryopteris,
and Athyrium. The novelties (all on p. 69) are Sela-
ginella tamariscina var. ulanchotensis Ching & Wang-
Recent FERN LITERATURE 17
Wei, Asplenium conmixum Ching (an evident error for
commiztum, which should be corrected), Athyrium
pachyphlebium C. Chr., and Dryopteris manshurica
Ching. For the benefit of the many to whom this work
will be inaccessible, the original descriptions are repro-
duced below.
1. Selaginella tamariscina ee Spr. var. ulanchotensis Ching
et Wang-Wei
A typo differt tol eee lanceolatis angustatis, 1.6-1.9 mm.
longis, 0.6-0.8 mm. latis, apice attenuatis aculeatis, margine fere
indistinete minutissime serratis, lateralibus et ventralibus directis,
vix 2 parallelinervibus
ABIT. in rupibus
SPECIMINA EXAMINATA: on interior Ulanchote. Chang
yii- aan et rolee Pei-yun 479 (Ty
ongolia interior Thandie te. Spibee in Inst. Sylv.
et cakes ge sinicae Mukden conservatur
2. Asplenium conmixum Ching s
Asplenium varians (non Wall) bcs. le. Fil. Jap. I (1928)
tab. a.
Species intermedia inter A. anogrammoidem Christ Coreae et
A. variantem Wall. A prima differt frondibus teneribus, paulo
dissectis, colore in sicco viridi, segmentis ultimis latioribus et
dentibus obtusis, a secunda foliis magis minoribus textura et
dentibus pense AN obtusisque.
HABIT. : sylvis, in rupibus.
PECIMINA EXAMINATA:Proy. 1 Kiang-si Wu-kungshan, Kiangsi
expedition No. 1175 (Typus). 2. Prov. Liao-ning Feng-whang-
shan leg. G. G. Sato No. 10162; 3. Corea Quelpaert. leg. G. Faurie.
AREA GEOGR.: China dentealig et borealis, Korea Japonica. Typus
in Inst. Bot. Acad. Sinicae, lang conservatur.
Athyrium pachyplebium C, nov
A. niponici (Mett) Hance ee frondé watts ampla, pinnulis
lobato- pinnatifidis, textura crassiore, costis waeeag non nullis
pinnulium saepissime plus vel minusve roseolilace , marginibus
fatdeaatin venulis erassis, ad apicem NCIS ensaant et
supra paginem distinctis, soris prope marginem pinnulium dis-
positis heer nnaede bag C. Ching deseripait).
HABI
sytvi
SPECIMINA EXAMINATA: Prov. Shan-hsi district Yuanchu Harry
Siatih No. 6130 (Typus) ; 2 Prov. Hopei Jeho, district Hsing-lum
128 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
leg. T. N. Liou No. 4882 1952. 9. 8. 3. Prov. Liao-ning, Chien-
shan, leg. Wang-chan No. 1229 1951. 9. 26.
AREA GEOGR.: China borealis.
4. Dryopteris manshurica Ching sp. nov.
Species gregis D. austriacae Woynar, differt pinnis lateralibus
medialibus multo angustioribus longioribusque, textura foliis
tenuiora sauna soris indusiisque minoribus.
ABIT.: In sylvi
SPECIMINA EXAMINATA: 1. Prov. Heilung-Kiang, district. Shang-
chi Mt. Takuokui, leg. Wang ku Sk ae No. 1567 (Typus) 2.
ibid. Veiho leg. Wang kuang-cheng 367.
AREA GEOGR.: China boreali-oriental
TyPus in Inst. syly. et Pedol. Acad. Statens Mukden conservatur.
C. V. Morton
Sepithaielin Institution
Our member Barbara Joe Hoshizaki has continued
with her ‘‘Ferns Cultivated in California,’ with an
article commenting on the genera Phyllitis, Doodia,
Pyrrosia, and Llavea. C.V.M
American Fern Society
New MEMBERS
Mr. Archie Amate, 8824 East Broadway, San Gabriel, California
Mr. C. D. Barber, 112 East Myrtle Ave., Aransas Pass, ape
Mrs. H. C. Gardner, 2718 Chester Lane, Palee sfield, Californ
Mrs. Juanita 8. Spee Biology Department, Salem College, Sialens
West Virgini
Dr. Clark a sessed. New York Botanical Garden, New York 58,
Yor.
New
Mr. eoace, Sellati, 3571 Fair Isle Street, Miami, Florida
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
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1Lasea Leaves, 9: 8-14. 1959. Probably obtainable from the
adr weideaa California Horticultural Institute, Box 688, Arcadia,
alifornia
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Vol. 49 October-December, 1959 No. 4
American Fern Journal
A QUARTERLY DEVOTED TO FERNS
Published by the
: AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY
Pd Fa ; é eg B, iS om
f o¥ x oa 4 = yY : tts
: ; C. ¥. ‘MORTON °o
4 R. C. BENEDICT TRA L. WIGGINS, ABM T Ponoen©
TH weiecpene 8 8 ge
\
rd ‘
; = CONTENTS
Observations on Cultivated Ferns: The Hardy Species of
we Tree Ferns (Dicksonia a ane Cosckers ae)
: LA TRYON AND ALICE TrYON 129
bcs P tinatum and P. pig t Ons OY
Poy pid sine S asiens a y . Atma G. STOKEY 142
: The, porns of Three Palen Sermo Poly- a
podium : A. Winson 147 e eo
The Correct ayant of the Eom Usually Called _ Alsophila
blechnoides C. V. Morton 151
Notes and pons Exchange Invited 1 ioe 5 Angeles ro =
a os . 463
American Fern geiias Joining * ee hacia ictal :
of Biologics I Seiences — Biete Pee NE, «A
es 157
_N- QUEEN sr. - AND McGOVERN AVE. L weg :
a ‘Entered as second-class matter 2 at, the p
“ zee oe Act of | March | nd igg
i in Paregeaph: 3} fi
Ghe American Hern Society
Cuunril far 1959
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
Tra Lu shogasgy Dudley Herbarium, Stanford University, Cali-
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retary
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Anvrican Fern Journal
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at Subscription, $2.35 per year, foreign, 10 cents extra; sent free
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American Sern Journal
Vou. 49 OcTOBER—DECEMBER, 1959 No. 4
Observations on Cultivated Fern
The Hardy Species of Tree Ferns (Dicksonta and
Cyatheaceae )
RoLtuA TRYON AND ALICE TRYON
The delicate, lacy leaves characteristic of the ferns are
most elegantly displayed in the tree ferns, where the
stem becomes a trunk and holds them aloft in silhouette.
The cultivation of these handsome plants is unfortu-
nately limited to a few areas in the United States that
are generally frost-free and cool and moist, or where
local niches, ravines, or lath houses can provide these re-
quirements. ost of the species are native to cloud-
drenched ravines or highlands in the tropics and sub-
tropics but a few inhabit cooler and drier areas. In sub-
tropical Florida and coastal California from San Fran-
cisco to San Diego, where they are cultivated, they are
imports from New Zealand, Australia, and a few from
Mexico. There remains considerable horticultural po-
tential in the group, which encompasses some 700 or 800
species in six genera or more. The groves in San Fran-
eisco’s Golden Gate Park are especially notable and prob-
ably the most unique display in cultivation. Our inter-
est in tree ferns stems from these. We found a total of
8 species in the park, in several groves of predominantly
one or two kinds, and there are records that two others
have grown there. In the Los Angeles area we have seen
specimens or herbarium records of notable collections at
the University of California Botanic Garden, La Fleur
Nursery, and in the gardens of Dr. W. C. Drummond
Volume 49, hc 3, of the JouRNAL, pp. 97-128, was issued
September 29, 1959.]
130 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
and Mrs. Fay A. MacFadden, members of the Fern So-
ciety. The most complete herbarium collections of cul-
tivated species are in the California Academy of Sci-
ences at San Francisco, the University of California, Los
Angeles, and the United States National Herbarium.
This study has been made on the hardy tree ferns and
we have not considered those grown under glass.
In spite of their distinctive aspect, the tree ferns have
not been comprehensively studied and their grouping
into genera is a perplexing problem. We have chosen
to recognize Alsophila and Hemitelia in addition to
Cyathea rather than unite them all under the latter genus
as has been done by several recent authors. The nature
of the indusium may not be a wholly reliable character
nor may it afford the most natural classification. How-
ever, until the several hundred species of the family have
been adequately studied and a better classification pro-
posed on a sound foundation it seems best not to abandon
a character that does have a great deal of utility.
It may be noted here that in several species we have
been able to observe both the juvenile and mature plants
of the same species and there are some differences in the
leaves. The petiole of leaves of young plants may be
much longer in proportion to the blade than in old plants
and the petiole scales may persist for a longer time. The
position of the pinnae, whether plane, somewhat erect or
drooping seems to vary both with the age of the plant
and the amount of shade it receives. In Dicksonia fibrosa
and D. antarctica the characteristic leaf-cutting may not
be found in the young leaves and since there are no dif-
ferences in indument, it is difficult, if not impossible, to
distinguish young individuals. Identification of the tree
ferns is most easily done with fertile leaves having the
sori mature but not old, thus allowing the indusium to
be easily seen. However, we have found many sterile
CULTIVATED TREE FERNS tai
specimens. We have employed in the key characters of
these as much as possible. The best vegetative charac-
ters appear to be the indument of the blade, the color and
surface of the petiole, and the scales at its base. Since
the scales on the petiole are often deciduous or erode with
age it is desirable to observe relatively young leaves.
Indument such as wax, hairs, or scales is characteristic in
most species and although this often requires at least 15 x
magnification to be clearly seen, the diagnostic value of
this indument is well worth the necessary careful observa-
tion. In most cases where the hairs or scales are decidu-
ous, they are first lost from the larger axes. Therefore,
the rachis of the pinnules and the costae are the best
places for the examination of the indument, although a
similar type may occur on other axes.
We have been especially helped in the preparation of
this paper by Dr. Elizabeth McClintock of the California
Academy of Sciences whose interest and enthusiasm for
the fine specimens in the Strybing Arboretum and
Golden Gate Park lent much encouragement. To Dr.
W. C. Drummond and Mrs. Barbara Joe Hoshizaki, who
shared much information on the collections in the Los
Angeles area, we are grateful. Conrad V. Morton gra-
ciously invited us to prepare the study for his series on
the cultivated ferns and provided us with extensive loans
for study from the U. S. National Herbarium. Dr.
ert C. Cooper of the Auckland Institute and Museum
kindly lent specimens of the New Zealand species and
has sent us some of the attractive Ponga Ware made from
the trunks of Cyathea. To Mary D. Tindale we are much
indebted for her suggestions on some of the Australian
species and especially for her excellent paper on the
Australian Cyatheaceae published in the Contributions
from the New South Wales National Herbarium.’
12: 327-361. pl. 9-15. 1956.
132 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Key To THE Harpy SPECIES OF TREE FERNS
a. Fertile segments with sori borne on the margins, the indusium
of two valves; leaves without scales but with hairs, those at
the base of the petiole long and prominent. DICKSONIACEAE. b,
b. Inner valve of the indusium membranous, tan to brown, with
a thin, usually slightly erose margin, the outer valve her-
baceous to coriaceous, wholly green or with a narrow brown-
ish border; sori borne on the lobes of the Saini In the
ung 8
arly pee a8 Ag hai s at the base of the petiole are
sttt harsh to the touch, oe do
pith of the nee is rather dry, not mucilaginous. D1cK-
SONIA.
c. Petiole aiid rachis pean or ag a with brown when
fresh, drying to brown; hai the under surface of the
pinna-rachises whitish to eg
Central pinnae about 3 to 4 times as long as broad with
the central pinnules having a long-acute to acuminate
apex with many (4-8, usually 5-7) simple pa to a
side. D. antarctica
Central pinnae about 5 to 6 times as long as fae with
the central pinnules having a short-acute apex with few
(1-4, usually 2 or 3) simple teeth to a side. ..... D. fibrosa
porat at least at the base, and usually also the rachis
reddish-brown to i te soot when fresh or dried ;
of the pinna-rachises reddish-
D. squar
oe
ey
ous arrosa
b. te and outer values of the indusium very coriaceous, with
aie entire ee thick, whitish to brown; sori borne
eae ng the edges of the In the cultivated Hawaiian
species ‘he blade of ‘sc leaf is broadly UR the pinnae
are epee and the hairs at the base
wea. g a mass soft to the ak becoming matted
with age. CrsoTiuM (This genus is to be treated by another
a. Fertia je with the sori borne between the margin and
e costa on the under-surface; leaves, in most of the species
ineluding all those treated here, with scales, these especially
long and prominent at the base of the petiole, hairs sometimes
also present; pith of the petiole mucilaginous. CYATHEACEAE.
e.
CULTIVATED TREE FERNS 133
e. Indusium absent or ssi Seats by several appressed, fim-
briate scales. A LA.
Leaf tissue coriaceous ; aie without small, red squamules.
g. Banal portion of the petiole green or partly brownish
when fresh, drying to tan or brown, with scales of tw
h. Broad seales at the base of the petiole smoky white,
usually with a small brown patch e very base;
scales on the under-surface the pinnule-rachises
with short spinules of the same color, sometimes with
thin, aes: spinules (Fig. 1) ---c-.-0----- oopert
Broad scales at the base of 5 petiole light peetts to
yellowish Cae the basal portion darker; scales on
the under-surface of the pinnule-rachises and costae
ro whitish, the central portion ovate to linear, the
rgins with see slender spinules, some of them
Pee i GMOS TOA (FAG. 2) ceesennresnessncernssesseensnesnsees A, excelsa
g. Basal portion of up ones brownish, with nearly uni-
form brown scales; bullate scales on the under- surface
f the pinnule-rachises and costae (Fig. 3) 4. australis
f. Leaf tissue thin-herbaceous; blade with small red, stellate
squamules especially evident on the rachises and costae
Fig. 6 A. Colensoi
oe
a BY. scrcnsretiannirrsiine drttrrtontrniennrnersminesatt
e. Indusium present, very thin, cellophane-like to m embranous-
papyraceous, usually globular, wholly sagas the young
and la
sporangia a ter splitting into two to sev ral segments,
or saucer- Ggreas or hemispherical and | ically enclosing
the sorus.
ee
Indusium wagiaseeenal enclosing only the proximal face
of the sorus; rachises with small, red, stellate squamules
(as im BIG. 5) nvnenvernencnteternennreernnt Hemitelia Smithii
i. Indusium globular (or my open on the distal face) to
saucer-sha Y.
ped.
j. Pinnules not sriieataie: Ssolioie smooth to strongly
urieate with stout rounded or pointed processes. k.
k. Seales at the base of the petiole of two different kinds ;
nna- and pinnule-rachises only scaly beneath, the
seales stellate or much dissected.
134 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
ti A owt base thick es Seu: ae black, smooth;
ssue coriaceo all the und
pate of the pin nae ates se aes whitish,
the central portion lustrous, the margins with lon
spinules, some of them red (Fig. 7)
C. medullaris
F Petiole base slender, dark brown to atropurpureou .
—
scales on the under-surface of the pinnule-rachises
and costae fawn to tan colored, stellate or maar
ange a ate giving the appearance of a tomen-
tum (Fi C. Cun nninghams
k. Seales at ie 5 of the petiole uniform; pin an
pinnule-rachises pubescent beneath, xine nehes: with
more or less cgenia usually bullate scales.
m. Blade white-ceraceous beneath; pinnule- ie
yellowish ee beneath, with few or no scales
C. deal ate
m. Blades green beneath; pinnule-rachises Meh des to
puberulent beneath, also with bulla
. Pinnules of the longer pinnae 1.5-2. he em. iced,
those of the upper pinnae about 1.5 em. broad.
C. fulva
n. Pinnules of the longer pinnae about 1 em. broad,
those of the upper pinnae less than 1 em. broad.
C. delicatula
. Pinnules wien petiole with sharp spine-like proc-
ses; pinnule-rachises sparingly pubescent beneath
and be flat, ehiGah scales with dark marginal spinules
(Fig. 11) C. mexi
oe
DICKSONIACEAE
Dicksonia L’HErItTIerR, SertumM ANGLIcUM 30. 1788
Dicksonta ANTaRcTIcA Labill. Nov. Holl. Pl. Spec. 2:
100, t. 24 806. Tasmanian Dicksonia.
This species and D. fibrosa are not readily distin-
guished but it seems best to maintain them until a thor-
ough study of the species in their native habitat is made.
The characters presented in the key are not always cor-
related and occasional specimens will be difficult to iden-
CULTIVATED TREE FERNS 135
tify. Leaves of young plants and small leaves of older
ones are usually impossible to determine. However, all
of the cultivated material we have examined was easily
determined when the specimens were adequate. Splen-
did plants up to 12 feet in height, having a crown of
25 or more leaves up to 10 feet long, occur in a grove
near Rhododendron Dell along the Main Drive in Golden
Gate Park. Among a hundred or more specimens in the
park we noted a single plant with an offshoot at the base
of the trunk.
Native of Australia and Tasmania.
DicksoN14 FIBROSA Colenso, Tasm. Journ. 2: 179. 1844.
Woolly Tree Fern.
The problem of distinguishing this from the previous
species has been discussed. We have observed that in
cultivated plants the trunks of D. fibrosa are generally
shorter (the tallest we have seen was 7 feet) and the
leaves are also shorter than those of D. antarctica. The
two species grow together in Golden Gate Park and there
plants of D. fibrosa may have somewhat stiffer, more
erect fronds.
Native of New Zealand.
DICKSONIA SQUARROSA (Forst.) Swartz in Sehrad. Journ.
18002: 90. 1801. Slender or Rough Tree Fern.
Trichomanes squarrosum Forst. Fl. Ins. Prod. 86.
1786.
The long, appressed, leaf-bases give the slender trunks
a unique fluted appearance. The two previous species
have relatively stouter, unfluted trunks although the
leaf-bases are also persistent. Stolons are reported in
native plants of this species but we have not observed
them in the cultivated plants; rather, they produce off-
shoots at or somewhat above the base of the trunk, The
136
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL VOLUME 49, PLATE 13
1 =
SCALES OF THE BLADE oF TREE FERNS. APPROX. x 30. Fic. 1. ALSO- |
PHILA COOPERI. Fig. 2. A. EXCELSA. Fig. 3. A. AUSTRALIS. Fic. 4.
A. CoLensor. Fic. 5. A. Conensor. Fig. 6. HEMITELIA SMITHII.
ig. 7, CYATHEA MEDULLARIS. Fig. 8. C. CUNNINGHAMIL. 9
C. FULVA. Fig. 10. C. DELICATULA. Fig. 11. C. MEXICANA.
CULTIVATED TREE FERNS 137
leaves are often about half as long as those of D. ant-
arctica and D. fibrosa. There is a handsome grove of
these in Delavega Dell in Golden Gate Park with speci-
mens 10 feet tall.
Native of New Zealand.
CYATHEACEAE
ALSoPpHILA R. Br. Prop. Fu. Nov. Hou. 158. 1810
ALSoPHILA AUSTRALIS R. Br. Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 158.
1810. Australian Tree Fern.
Cyathea australis (R. Br.) Domin, Pterid. 262. 1929.
We do not know of this species cultivated out-of-doors,
but it is included because it is commonly confused with
Alsophila Cooperi. It may be identified by the brown-
ish, muricate petiole-base bearing nearly uniform, bright
brown scales, the bullate scales on the under-surface of
the pinnule-rachises and costae, and the absence of
squamules on the leaves.
Native of Australia and Tasmania.
Atsoputta Couensor Hook. f. Fl. N. Zeal. 2: 8, t. 73.
1854. Creeping Tree Fern.
Cyathea Colensot (Hook. f.) Domin, Pterid. 262. 1929.
We have not seen living plants of this species although
there are specimens documenting its former occurrence
in the Strybing Arboretum and the La Fleur Nursery.
Native plants are reported to have prostrate trunks
although the apex may be erect and up to 5 feet tall.
It resembles Hemitelia Smithti in having copious small,
red, stellate squamules on the leaves; these are par-
ticularly evident on the rachises and costae. The two
species are clearly distinct when fertile, for the indusium
in H. Smithii is conspicuous and hemispherical in form
whereas it is absent in A. Colensoi. Sterile specimens
of A. Colensoi may be identified by the following char-
138 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
acters: The whitish or tan to light brown scales of the
stipe, the bullate or subbullate scales on the pinnule-
rachises and costae (Fig. 4), and the simple veins of the
ultimate segments. Hemitelia Smithii is characterized
y dark brown stipe scales, flat or twisted scales on the
pinnule-rachises and costae (Fig. 6), and forked veins
of the ultimate segments, at least near the base of the
segments.
Native of New Zealand.
ALsopHILA Coopert Hook. ex F. Muell. Fragm. Phyt.
Aust. 5: 117. 1866. Cooper’s Tree Fern.
Cyathea Cooperi (Hook. ex F. Muell.) Domin, Pterid.
262. 1929.
This is probably the most frequent and successfully
cultivated species of the tree ferns. It is grown both in
Florida and California where we have seen specimens up
to 12 feet tall; it is reported to reach three times that
height in Australia. Unfortunately this species has been
widely distributed under the name of A. australis; prob-
ably most of these cultivated specimens are properly re-
ferred to A. Cooperi. In Los Angeles a vigorous strain
of this species grown by Mrs. Fay MacFadden and A. W.
Roberts has been descriptively called Robust Tree Fern.
The species is closely allied to A. excelsa; these two are
clearly distinct from other species in having narrow,
reddish scales among broader whitish to yellowish
brown ones at the base of the petiole. Both kinds of
scales have spinescent-serrate margins. Intermediate
forms of scales occur. The species are also characterized
and particularly distinct from A. australis by the early
dehiscence of the petioles, which leave clean, oval leaf-
sears on the trunk
Native of Australia.
CULTIVATED TREE FERNS 139
ALSOPHILA EXCELSA R. Br. ex Endl. Prod. Fl. Norfolk.
16. 1833. Norfolk Island Tree Fern.
Cyathea Brownii Domin, Pterid. 262. 1929, not Cy-
athea excelsa Swartz, 1801.
This species is quite close to A. Coopert. The char-
acters by which we separate the two in the key are
largely adapted from the work of Miss Tindale on the
Australian Cyatheaceae. It is rare in cultivation and
we have seen only two living plants in Golden Gate Park,
the largest of which was 22 feet tall.
Native of Norfolk Island.
CyATHEA J. E. SmirH, Mém. Acap. TuRIN 5: 416. 1793
CyarHea CunnincHamI Hook. f. ex Hook. Icones Pl.
10: ¢. 985 & text. 1854. Gully Fern.
This is apparently rare in cultivation for we found
record of it only at the Strybing Arboretum where there
is a single plant having a slender trunk 13 feet in height.
The blade of the leaf is of a thin texture and the petiole
has scales of two kinds, both having delicate margins
which erode. The scales of the blade and axes are stel-
late in form somewhat resembling those of Alsophila
Colensoi and Hemitelia Smithu but are mostly larger
and tan to brown. Some unusual scales may be found
on the ecostules among the sori, of a color and texture
similar to the indusium, but subbullate in form and with
a reddish brown, stellate apex.
Native to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.
CYaTHEA DEALBATA (Forst.) Swartz in Schrad. Journ.
18002: 94. 1801. Silver King, Silver Tree Fern.
Polypodium dealbatum Forst. FI. Ins. Prod. 83. 1786.
The white, waxy covering on the under-surface of the
leaves, which may extend to the rachis and petiole, is dis-
tinctive of the species, although it is sometimes absent
or poorly developed. Roberts’ Nursery has young plants
140 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
and there are specimens recording it from the Hunting-
ton Botanic Garden.
Native of New Zealand.
CYATHEA DELICATULA Maxon, Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herb.
13: 4. 1909
This and the following two Mexican species were in-
troduced into cultivation by the late Frank Montoya at
the La Fleur Nursery in Los Angeles and were originally
called Alsophila armata. Unfortunately, they have not
proved to be as adaptable to cultivation as the Australian
or New Zealand species and only a few have survived.
Herbarium specimens have been preserved of these spe-
cies and it is largely from these that we have identified
the remaining plants.
The pinnules and ultimate miotaiendile 3 in this species
are shorter and narrower than those of C. fulva, giving
a more delicate aspect to the leaf.
Native of Guatemala and Mexico.
CYATHEA FULVA (Mart. & Gal.) Fée, Mém. Fam. Foug. 9:
34. 1857.
Alsophila fulva Mart. & Gal. Mém. Acad. Brux. 15:
18, t. 23. 1848
As indicated in the previous discussion this species
resembles C. delicatula. Both have many bullate scales
on the costae, although in this species (Fig. 9) they may
be twice as large as in C. delicatula (Fig. 10). The indu-
sium, completely enclosing the sorus in both species, is
a remarkable, iridescent, cellophane-like tissue. There
is a plant in the garden of Dr. W. C. Drummond.
Native of Mexico.
CYATHEA MEXICANA Schlecht. & Cham. Linnaea 5: 616.
1830
This species is quite unlike the two previously men-
CULTIVATED TREE FERNS 141
tioned Mexican tree ferns in having blackish spines on
the petiole and in having the scales of the blade flat,
whitish, and with marginal spinules some of which are
red (Fig. 11). The pinnules are articulate, leaving
clean scars on the pinna-rachises. There are plants in
the garden of Dr. W. C. Drummond and at Roberts’
Nursery.
Native of Mexico.
CYATHEA MEDULLARIS (Forst.) Swartz in Schrad. Journ.
18007: 94. 1801. Black Tree Fern.
Polypodium medullare Forst. Plant. Esculent. 74.
1786; Fl. Ins. Prod. 82. 1786
This is the largest and most impressive of the tree
ferns in cultivation. There is a splendid colony of them
bordering the Lily Pond in Golden Gate Park, with speci-
mens 25 feet tall or more, and with leaves up to 16 feet
long. The petioles of young plants may be greenish,
rather than black, and new leaves on older plants may
have the petioles greenish on the upper side. The black
petiole becomes brown when the leaves are dried at a
high temperature. The scales of the stipe base are of two
kinds, both having spinescent-serrate margins. The
scales of the pinnule-rachises and costae are remarkably
beautiful under magnification. The central portion is
glistening white with a border of attenuated marginal
spinules, some of which are red. Dr. R. C. Cooper gives
an account? of the decorative pieces called Ponga Ware
that are prepared from the trunks of this species and
also mentions the former use as food of the pulp in the
center of the trunk by the native Maori.
Native of New Zealand.
2 This JouRNAL, 47: 89-91. 1957.
142 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
HEMITELIA R. Br. Prop. Fu. Nov. Hou. 158. 1810
Hemirevia Smiram (Hook. f.) Hook. in Hook. & Bak.
Syn. Fil. 31. 1865. Soft Tree Fern.
Cyathea Smith Hook. f. Fl. N. Zeal. 2: 8, t.72. 1854.
The fertile leaves easily distinguish the species but
sterile material poses more difficulty because of similari-
ties with Alsophila Colensoi. The matter is discussed in
the treatment of that species. We have seen only a small,
sterile, living plant of H. Smitha in the Strybing Ar-
boretum, which has leaves of an unusually thin texture.
Native of New Zealand.
Gray HerpartumM, Harvarp UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE,
Mass.
Polypodium pectinatum and P. plumula—
Polypodiaceae or Prmaitiisceas?
Auma G, STOKEY
In the intermittent periods during which the gram-
mitid ferns were placed in the genus Polypodium there
was no question about the status of Polypodium pecti-
natum L. and P. plumula Humb. & Bonpl. Now it is
not merely a question of the genus—Polypodium or
Ctenopteris—but of the family—Polypodiaceae or Gram-
mitidaceae. Copeland’ in an Appendix to his mono-
graph ‘‘Ctenopteris in America’’ includes them in a list
of 12 species under the heading ‘‘Species believed to be
Ctenopteris’’ with a brief statement of certain signifi-
cant characters:
““Polypodium pectinatum Linnaeus. Large ferns; veins
branching; spores bilete. A considerable number of
similar ferns. :
Polypodium Plumula H.B.W. Small ferns, not numer-
ous. Paleae on rachis. Spores bilete.’’
1 Philipp. Journ. Sci. 84: 381-475. 1955.
s
POLYPODIUM PECTINATUM GAMETOPHYTES 143
The evidence of relationship has been based entirely
on the sporophyte, but in this case evidence from the
gametophyte should be considered. The gametophyte is
not ordinarily helpful in separating genera of the same
family but may be of value in the case of genera of well-
defined families.
During the last five years I have had two cultures of
P. pectinatum: one from spores sent from Puerto Rico
by Edith Scammon of the Gray Herbarium, and one
from Jamaica sent by George R. Proctor, Botanist of the
Institute of Jamaica. While in Jamaica in 1954, I col-
lected material of P. plumula which gave a good culture.
Mr. Proctor sent more spores from Jamaica in Septem-
ber, 1957, but the material was rather young and germi-
nation was meager. For comparison with these cultures
there were available the cultures which Dr. Lenette At-
kinson and I have made in our study of these two fami-
lies: 37 species from 20 genera of Copeland’s Poly-
podiaceae (excluding the grammitids), and 27 species
from five genera of the Grammitidaceae including 10
species of Ctenopteris. The gametophytes of these two
families differ in so many respects that they can be dis-
tinguished from each other readily. (An account of
the gametophyte of the Grammitidaceae has recently
appeared.) (Phytomorphology 8: 391-403. 1958.)
Copeland notes the spore character: Polypodium has
bilete spores, and Ctenopteris trilete, and, as is char-
acteristic of the Grammitidaceae, they contain chloro-
In these two families there is a difference in the
mode of germination of the spore. In the Polypodiaceae,
as in most of the higher ferns, a green prothallial cell
and a rhizoid emerge from the spore coat at about the
same time or the rhizoid may appear first; the first rhi-
zoid is usually colorless and grows more rapidly than
the prothallial filament. Germination in the Grammi-
tidaceae is less uniform. The most common type in our
144 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
cultures was a green filament arising from one or two
bulbous basal cells; less commonly germination resulted
in amass or plate. It was exceedingly rare for a rhizoid
to appear before there were three green cells or more,
first rhizoid appears to be a family character. When
rhizoids do appear they are sharply set off from the
green cells by their slender form and dark brown walls.
The difference in germination of the two families is
striking and unmistakable. Both P. pectinatum and P.
plumula agree with the Polypodiaceae in the mode of
germination of the spore.
There is a great difference in the extent of develop-
ment of the filamentous stage in the two families. In
the Polypodiaceae this is merely a short incident leading
quickly to a plate if conditions for growth are favorable.
In the Grammitidaceae it may be a mode of life which
persists for months or even for years, the filaments form-
ing a ‘‘turf’’ suggestive of the filmy-ferns. The ger-
mination filament in the Polypodiaceae is ordinarily four
to eight cells long, and the filament at the base of the
plate consists of one to six cells, usually three or four.
e two species in question agree with the Polypodi-
aceae; in both there is a short filamentous stage which
broadens rapidly into a plate leaving a filament of only
one to five cells at its base.
The broad cordate mature thallus of P. pectinatum
with its broad midrib is like that of other species of Poly-
podium and not like the more slender thallus of Ctenop-
teris with its thin narrow cushion. The gametophyte of
P. plumula is also like that of the Polypodiaceae in form
but is less broad than that of P. pectinatum. The rhi-
zoids of the mature thallus of both species are moder-
ately stout with light brown or rust brown walls, and
are like most of the Polypodiaceae not only in aspect but
in their heavy development on the ventral surface. They
POLYPODIUM PECTINATUM GAMETOPHYTES 145
are conspicuously different from the stiff slender dark
brown rhizoids of the Grammitidaceae which are devel-
oped characteristically on the margin of the thallus.
Polypodium pectinatum has a sparing growth of sim-
ple hairs, mostly on the margin of both young and ma-
ture prothalli, and a few branched hairs on the ventral
surface of the mature thallus. This is a common con-
dition in many of the Polypodiaceae including four other
species of Polypodium in our cultures, as well as nine
other genera in the family. In the Grammitidaceae
branched glandular hairs of unusual size are highly de-
veloped on the gametophytes of some species but are com-
monly found on the margin rather than on the surface.
Polypodium plumula bore no hairs except one acicular
hair on an apogamous thallus. Acicular hairs are found
on the gametophyte of a few species of grammitids.
One might attach more weight to the case of the one
acicular hair if it had not developed on an apogamous
gametophyte.
The Puerto Rico culture of P. pectinatum bore abun-
dant antheridia and archegonia. Fertilization occurred,
resulting in sporophytes which grew to maturity. The
Jamaica culture has produced both antheridia and arche-
gonia but so far has developed no sporophytes. The first
eulture of P. plumula had no sex organs, but began to
develop apogamous embryos when three months old.
Some of the sporophytes are still in cultivation. The
second culture of this species grew slowly. Several
gametophytes had two or three archegonia and a few
antheridia, but unfortunately this culture has been the
loser in a battle with fungi and algae.
The sex organs can hardly be said to offer any impor-
tant evidence. Archegonia are so uniform in the higher
ferns that there is no characteristic difference between
those of the two families. Antheridia show more vari-
ation but there is a question if it is significant. In bot
146 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
families the wall is of the three-celled type characteristic
of the higher ferns. The chief variation is in the basal
cell and this affects the form of the antheridium; it may
be funnel-shaped or dise-shaped, as is usual in globular
antheridia, or it may be elongated or almost cylindrical
or vase-shaped. The common type of antheridium in
globular type, although the elongated antheridium with
a more or less cylindrical or vase-shaped basal cell may
be found in some species, e.g., Polypodium chnoodes,
Phlebodium aureum, Pyrrosia chinensis, and Selliguea
feet. The antheridia of the grammitids are usually
elongated or vase-shaped.
It is of interest to note that the rate of development of
the two species is that of the Polypodiaceae rather than
of the Grammitidaceae. The gametophyte of P. pect-
natum from Puerto Rico bore antheridia and archegonia
in two months; that from Jamaica grown at a less favor-
able season matured in four months. The first culture
of P. plumula had apogamous embryos at three months;
the second had antheridia and archegonia at four months.
This is unlike the Grammitidaceae, which are exceed-
ingly slow in development. In this family the plate
stage is seldom attained until three or four months, more
often not until eight or ten months, or even a year.
Archegonia were not found in any culture less than 10
months old.
In spite of the relative simplicity of gametophytic
structure, the characteristics of the two species are suffi-
ciently well-defined, and agree so well with those of the
gametophyte of Polypodium, and differ in so many re-
spects from those of Ctenopteris, that there appears to
be a high degree of probability that these two species are
properly placed in the genus Polypodium.
Mount Hotyoxe Couuece
POLYPODIUM PECTINATUM SPORANGIA 147
The Sporangia of Three Problematic Species
of Polypodium’
KENNETH A. WILSON
An examination of the recent literature on fern mor-
phology and cytology makes it apparent that a great
deal is being added to the knowledge and understanding
of the structure and life cycles of the ferns, and also
that this accumulation of information is contributing to a
more natural classification of the group. Cytological
evidence, however, does not appear to aid in the differ-
entiation of the Grammitidaceae from the Polypodiaceae
since their chromosome numbers are basically alike. In
instances where problems arise in determining the rela-
tionship of ferns of this complex, we must rely on mor-
phological evidence for an indication of their proper
taxonomic position. Such a problem is presented by
Stokey (1959) who discusses evidence from the gameto-
phyte generation that indicates that Polypodium plumula
Humb. & Bonpl. and P. pectinatum L. are properly
placed in the Polypodiaceae rather than in the Gram-
mitidaceae.
Evidence from the sporangial morphology has been
sought to add new information which might aid in deter-
mining the systematic position of Polypodium pecti-
natum, P. plumula, and P. amphidasyon®—three ferns
listed by Copeland (1955) as ‘“Species believed to be
Ctenopteris.”’
In a recent survey of the sporangia of many members
of the Polypodiaceae and Grammitidaceae, I have de-
1 Continuing a series of miscellaneous notes and papers dealing
with the flora of the southeastern United States made possible
through the interest and support of George R. Cooley and a gran
from the National Science Foundation. i
2 This study is based on material deposited in the Gray Herbarium
of Harvard University; the specimens examined are cited in the
legend of the illustration.
148 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
scribed the differences between the sporangia of these
two families (Wilson, 1959). The sporangial capsule
of the members of the Polypodiaceae is characterized by
having a vertical or interrupted annulus which possesses
a two-celled stomium, a series of thin-walled cells below
the stomium (i.e., the hypostomium), and two or more
thin-walled cells between the stomium and the indurated
cells of the bow (i.e., the epistomium). The sporangial
stalk of the ferns of this family is composed of two rows
of cells at the base and becomes three-rowed only di-
rectly beneath the capsule. At first glance the spo-
rangia of the Grammitidaceae seem to be identical to those
of the Polypodiaceae. Indeed, there is no fundamental
difference in the sporangial capsule of the two families.
The significant difference is in the structure of the spo-
rangial stalk. The Grammitidaceae possess sporangia
which have only a single row of cells at the base of the
stalk.
In order to determine the structure of the sporangium,
one need only boil a sorus taken from an herbarium
specimen in 5% sodium hydroxide, carefully dissect the
sorus in a drop of water on a slide, and examine the
material under a microscope.
The sporangia of both Polypodium pectinatum (fig.
a,, a2) and P. plumula (fig. b;, b,) are very similar to
each other, and both possess stalks which are two-rowed
from the point of their attachment to the receptacle to
the three-rowed portion which subtends the capsule. Of
interest also are the projections or hairs of the capsule.
Both species have sporangia which bear these structures,
but not all of the sporangia bear them. In both species,
sporangia bearing no hairs may be found intermixed
with others that bear from a single hair to as many as
five. The presence of the hairs is apparently of signifi-
cance only on the specific level rather than on the family
or generic level. Hairs and setae are known to occur
POLYPODIUM PECTINATUM SPORANGIA 149
on the capsules of sporangia of species of such distantly
related genera as Thelypteris, Pessopteris, Leucostegia,
and ‘‘Ctenopteris.’’
The morphology of the sporangia of Polypodium pec-
tinatum and P. plumula agrees with that of the other
members of the Polypodiaceae that I have studied. Thus,
in view of the evidence from the gametophytes, and from
a3 0 300y bs
MATURE SPORANGIA AND PARAPHYSES. a, PoOLYPODIUM PECTINATUM
(Fiorma: A, A. Eaton 538); b, PouyPopIUM PLUMULA (FLORIDA:
L. M. UnpERWooD 278) ; ¢, XIPHOPTERIS AMPHIDASYON (Ecuapor:
J. P. CourHovy 4).
other sporophytic characters such as the bilateral spores,
and the clathrate scales, there seems to be little reason
to doubt that these two species are correctly placed in the
Polypodiaceae.
Polypodium amphidasyon Kunze ex Mett., in sharp
contrast to the above species, has sporangia which have
only a single row of cells at the base of the stalk (fig. ¢:,
150 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
C2). These sporangia indicate that this fern belongs to
the Grammitidaceae. Other sporophytic characters sup-
port this conclusion: The spores are tetrahedral and
green, the rhizome-scales are non-clathrate, and the
fronds bear long reddish-brown setae. The nature of
the gametophyte is unknown, but it seems clear that P.
amphidasyon is a grammitid fern and should be known
as Xiphopteris amphidasyon (Kunze ex Mett.) Alston.’
Polypodium pectinatum, P. plumula and Xiphopteris
amphidasyon all have paraphyses in their sori. Those
of P. plumula are short and filamentous (fig. b;), but
they are very rare in their occurrence. The branched
filamentous paraphyses of P. pectinatum (fig. a;) occur
rather frequently within the sori. Xiphopteris amphi-
dasyon has extremely short paraphyses scattered among
the sporangia (fig. c;). So little is known about the
nature of paraphyses that no explanation of their phylo-
genetic significance can be offered at this time.
SUMMARY
The sporangial evidence clearly indicates that Poly-
podium pectinatum and P. plumula are rightly placed
in the Polypodiaceae. This is in complete agreement
with the evidence from the gametophytes as presented
by Stokey. On the other hand, sporangial evidence
points to the conclusion that Polypodium amphidasyon
is a member of the Grammitidaceae.
GRAY HERBARIUM AND ARNOLD ARBORETUM, HARVARD
UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, MasSACHUSETTS.
LITERATURE CITED
Alston, A. H. G. 1957. Some “ocean ferns collected by M.
. Bull. Jard. Bot. Bruxelles 27: —58.
3 It is unfortunate that Copeland chose to use the generic name
“Ctenopteris,” and that it has since been so widely accepted. The
m
though this fern is a member of the “Ctenopteris” group. A more
satisfactory solution must await additional taxonomic ‘studies.
NAME OF ALSOPHILA BLECHNOIDES 151
Copeland, E. B. 1955. Ctenopteris in America. Philip. Jour. Sei.
84: 381-473.
Stokey, A. G. 1959. Polypodium pectinatum and P. plumula—
Wilson, K. A. 1959. Sporangia of the fern genera allied with
Polypodium and Vittaria. Contrib. Gray Herb. 185: 97-127.
The Correct Name of the Fern Usually Called
Alsophila blechnoides
C. V. Morton
There is a common tropical American fern that has
long been called Alsophila blechnoides (L. C. Richard)
Hooker, e. g. in Hooker and Baker, Synopsis Filicum, by
Diels in Engler and Prantl, and by Christensen in Index
Filicum, a disposition based chiefly on the lack of an
indusium, as in Alsophila. In 1926, F. O. Bower? studied
its morphology in detail, and came to the conclusion that
this species differs from Alsophila in several important
characters—in having a creeping rhizome rather than an
erect caudex, in having hairs only rather than scales,
and in having the sori of the ‘simple’? rather than
‘‘oradate’’ type. He chose to erect a separate family
for it and the related genus Lophosoria called the Proto-
eyatheaceae. The characters are important and doubt-
less fundamental, but the erection of a separate family
is scarcely necessary.
Bower called this species Metaxya rostrata Presl, which
is correct. However, the matter was confused by Cope-
land, who in his Genera Filicum called it Amphidesmium
blechnoides (Lu. C. Richard ex Hooker) Klotzsch. It is
the purpose of this note to point out that both the generic
and specific names adopted by Copeland are incorrect.
The name Amphidesmium dates from Schott,? who
1 The Ferns 2: 282-292. 1926.
2 Gen, Fl. sub tab. [5]. 1834.
152 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
mentions it in an observation appended to his descrip-
tion of the genus Trichopteris Presl as follows: ‘‘Genus
e Gleicheniacearum familia cui nee Trichopteris Parker
(Polyp. Parkeri Hook. et Grey. Fil. II. t. 232, Amphi-
desmium nobis) nee Chnoophora Kaulfuss convenit.’’
Thus, Amphidesmium is proposed as a substitute for
Trichopteris Parker non sate xoind Presl. But there
is no genus ‘‘Trichopteris Parker.’’ In the original
deseription of Polypodium Parkeri Hook. & Grev., the
synonym ‘‘Trichopteris n. sp. Parker’’ is cited, by which
is meant that Parker had indicated that his material be-
longed as a new species in the genus Trichopteris Presl.
However, Parker never published any description either
of a species or a genus. Hooker and Greville did not
accept the genus T'richopteris, but considered it a syno-
nym of Polypodium, and consequently described the plant
as Polypodium Parkeri. A genus Trichopteris Parker
is therefore non-existent, and consequently Schott’s re-
naming of it as Amphidesmium is invalid, being a nomen
nudum ; Schott gives no word of description.
Two years later, Presl proposed the genus Metaxya
with a good description and figure. This is the correct
name of the genus.
The specific epithet blechnoides, adopted by Christen-
sen, Copeland, and others goes back ultimately to Poly-
podium blechnoides L. C. Richard, Act. Soc. Nat. Hist.
Paris 1: 114. 1791, where it is a nomen nudum. The
reference given by Hooker in taking up blechnoides, i.e.
Polypodium blechnoides Swartz, Syn. Fil. 73. 1806, is
also a nomen nudum, Swartz merely listing Richard’s spe-
cies among the dubious names. The next earliest name
is Polypodium rostratum Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
(1810), non P. rostratum Burm. (1768), nec Cav.
(1802), nec Poir. 1804. Although the epithet rostratum
is not available under the genus Polypodium, the species
was transferred to the genus Aspidium by Humboldt,
Notes AND NEws 15o
Bonpland, and Kunth, in 1816, thus validating it as a
new name, as of the date January, 1816. In the same
year, 1816, Poiret renamed the species Polypodium Hum-
boldtii Poiret. I do not know the exact date of Poiret’s
publication, but the probability is that it is later than
January. The synonymy of the essential names is there-
fore as follows:
eight Presl, Tent. fuery" oF. 1836. Typus: M. rostrata
( d.) Pech the only sp
Anphideiam Schott, Gen. Ti. pe t. [5] in obs. 1834, nom.
ae: ROSTRATA (H.B.K.) Presl, Tent. Pterid, 60. pl. 1, fig. 5.
Polgdodium blechnoides L. C. Rich. Act. Soe. Nat. Hist. Paris
1: 114. 1791, nom. nud.
Polypodium rostratum Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. Sp. Plant
5: 193. 1810, non Burm. 1768. Illegit.
a rostratum H.B.K., Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 12. Jan. 1816.
Considered nom. nov., by Code Bot. Nom., Paris ed., Ark: 72.
Polypodiwum Humboldtii Poir. in Lam. Encyel. Bot. Suppl. 4
497. 1816.
Alsophila rostrata Mart. Ieon. Crypt. Bras. 64. pl 389. 1834.
Amphidesmium rostratum J. Smith, London Journ. Bot. 1:
Ol. 1842.
Metaxya Parkeri J. Smith, London sing spain 1: 668. 1842.
Alsophila blechnoides Hook. Sp. Fil. 1: 35.
Amphidesmium blechnoides Klotzsch, peak 20: 372. -1847.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WasHINeTON, D. C.
Notes and News
ExcHance Invirep: Mr. R. Sekido is anxious to ex-
change specimens (either herbarium specimens or living
rhizomes) with members of the American Fern Society.
He can send various unusual Japanese ferns, including
the rare Asplenium oligophlebium* and ennstaedtia
scabra2 His address is Tomio-cho, Nara City, Japan.
mall fern of the 4. springy sacha group, somewhat resem-
bling the tropical American A. formosum. C.
2A lar ite similar to sev eral speci ies ‘of Microlepia.
southern California. C.V.M.
154 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL
Los ANGELES Fern Sociery :—The Los Angeles Fern
Society, formed under the guidance of Dr. W. C. Drum-
mond in 1958, now has a membership of 48. Monthly
meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday
at Fern Dell Nature Museum in Griffith Park. The past
year’s program included a visit to Fern Dell plantings.
Mrs. Yolanda Orta and Mrs. Sylvia Leatherman spoke
on growing fern spores and demonstrated methods.
Rare fern books were discussed by Dr. W. C. Drummond.
Mr. Peter Raven spoke on Californian native ferns. Mrs.
Barbara Joe Hoshizaki spoke on introduced ferns. Lead-
ing commercial and amateur growers gave a panel dis-
cussion on the cultivation of ornamental ferns. Mrs.
Sylvia Leatherman presented a program on ferns of
Brazil.
Plans for the second year of the society will include
lectures on landscaping with ferns, visits to fern gardens,
a fern forum, a glossary study period, and many other
activities of general interest.
e officers for 1958 are: Mrs. Sylvia Leatherman,
President; Dr. W. C. Drummond, Vice President; Mrs.
Mabel Anderson, Secretary ; Mrs. Hertha Solmitz, Treas-
urer; Mr. Jan Groot, Program Chairman; Mrs. Barbara
Joe Hoshizaki, Glossary Lessons and Forum.
A library of fern boks is being assembled, for loan to
the members. Mrs. Mabel Anderson, 5226 Strohm Ave-
nue, North Hollywood, Calif. will give information on
membership.—BarBaRA JoE HosHizaKki
American Fern Society
Jorninc THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE oF BIoLoGICAL ScrI-
ENCES—