Rhodora 
JOURNAL OF 
THE NEW ENGLAND BOTANICAL CLUB 
Vol. 22. July, 1920. No. 259. 
VARIETIES OF PITYROGRAMMA TRIANGULARIS. 
C. A. WEATHERBY. 
Ever since the publication of Eaton's Ferns of North America, 
the “California gold and silver ferns” have been treated as a single 
species with one variety or as two species. This disposition, however, 
fails to account for all the forms which, as shown by later and much 
more ample collections than Eaton had before him, exist in this, 
within certain limits, highly variable group. Instead of two, there 
are four distinguishable extremes, occupying different ranges, but 
separated by characters either too slight in themselves or too little 
constant to warrant their segregation as species. They are, neverthe- 
less, well worth recognition as geographic varieties. 
Eaton’s description still serves very well for the group as a whole: 
it may, however, be expanded and amended in some particulars. 
In addition to the narrow scales of the rootstock, the lower portion 
of the stipe often bears broader, thinner, pale brown, ovate-lanceo- 
late, acuminate scales which may or may not have a narrow, black- 
ish, sclerotic median band. The stipes vary from bright red-brown 
to blackish in color. In all varieties the pinnae vary considerably 
in shape and cutting. The large lower pinnae do not always have 
the basal segments on the lower side elongated; sometimes, even 
in well-developed fronds, they are no longer than the others. When 
greatly developed, they are usually narrowed toward the base. The 
basal segments of the upper side sometimes equal the others, some- 
times are shorter. The lower basal segments of the second pair of 
pinnae are sometimes elongated like those of the first pair, sometimes 
