BLACK SPLEENWORT. 



ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM of Authors. 



Asplenium lucidum. — Gray. 



LOCALITIES. 



England. ^ 

 Wales. ( 



Scotland. Universally distributed. 

 Ireland. J 



The Black Spleenwort is more or less abundant in all our 

 counties: its natural habitat, like that of A. lanceolatum, 

 appears to be the fissures of barren and exposed rocks, but in 

 these situations it never attains the size or luxuriance which it 

 so constantly exhibits when growing on oiu* walls, on ruins, or 

 in our hedgerows. 



The root is very black and wiry ; the rhizoma tufted, black, 

 and covered with bristly scales ; the rachis is extremely smooth and 

 shining, having a few scattered scales at its base ; one-third of 

 its entire length is naked, and this portion is usually black, or 

 dark purple. The fronds seldom appear before the end of May 

 or beginning of June ; at first their position is nearly erect, but 



