NOTES ON HYMENOPHYLLUM PELTATUM 

 (POTE) DESV 



By L. EoDWAY 



(Read 19tli May, 1913.) 



Prof. Ewart has recently pointed out (Proc. B, S. Vict. 

 Oct,, 1911) tliat the fern which has been familia^r to us as 

 H. Wilsoni, Hook, or H. unilaterale, Willd, will be more 

 correctly named if we call it H. peltatum, Desv, 



This little fern is very widely dispersed in Tasmania. It 

 ^nd H. tunhriclgeme, L., are the only two members of the 

 genus with serrated leaves which are natives of Tasmania. 

 The two used to be confounded, but the great difference of 

 the indusia permits of immediate recognition. In H. iun- 

 hridgense the indusia are semicircular with a straight serrate 

 terminal margin. In if. peltatum the indusium is oblong, 

 with an entire margin. H. peltatutn varies in size. In the 

 commonest condition in whicli it is found the leaf does not 

 exceed 5 cm. in length, the pinnae about 1 cm., giving the 

 plant much the appearance of H". tunhridgense, except that the 

 pinnules almost all grow on the upper margin of the pinnse. 

 When the plant grows under more favourable conditions it 

 acquires a much taller habit. The leaf may be as long as 

 17 cm., though the breadth does not increase. The pinnules 

 .are erect, i)ut when at all wilted they recurve, giving the leaf 

 -a characteristic appearance. 



