PTERIDOPHYTA— FERNS 319 



Poisonous properties. The rhizome of the root is used in medicine al- 

 though it is not officinal. It is supposel to possess properties the same as the 

 Male Shield Fern. 



Aspidium. Swartz. Wood Fern 



Fronds with 1-3 pinnate leaves, free veins; sori borne on the back or rarely 

 at the apex of the veins; indusium covering the sporangia, flat or flattish, 

 scarious, orbicular and peltate at the center, or round-kidney-shaped, opening 

 all round the margin. About 200 species of wide distribution, common in the 

 northern states. 



Aspidium fragrans. (L.) Swartz 



Fronds 4-12 inches high, glandular and aromatic, fragrant; rootstock stout, 

 nearly erect, densely chaff}^ as are the crowded stipes and rachis. Species 

 found in Asia and Europe. 



Aspidium Filix-mas. (L.) Swartz 



Fronds large, 1-3 feet high; pinnae linear-lanceolate, tapering from base 

 to the apex; pinnules very obtuse, serrate at the apex and obscurely so at the 

 sides, the basal incisely lobed ; sporangia nearer the midvein than the margin 

 and usually confined to the lower half of each fertile pinnule. 



Distribution. Native to Europe and found in rocky woods from Labrador 

 to Alaska, northern Michigan, British Columbia, Greenland, Europe, Asia, and 

 the Andes of South America. 



Poisonous properties. It is suspected of being poisonous. The rootstocks 

 have long been used in medicine as a vermifuge and contain the following sub- 

 stances : a fatty, green oil, traces of a volatile oil, resin, tannin, filicic acid, 

 CggH^gO^g, filicin, aspidin, C^gH^^O^, a fixed poisonous oil. 



Dr. Winslow says : 



Large quantities of the drug cause hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis, tremors, weakness, 

 stupor, coma, acute nephritis and cystitis. Six drachms of the oleoresin have proved fatal 

 in man and sheep; five drachms in a medium-sized dog; and three ounces in a cow. Aspidium 

 should never be given with oil which aids its absorption. 



Aspidium marginale. (L.) Swartz 



Much like the preceding, with evergreen fronds, small, thickish, ovate or 

 oblong in outline, and from 1-3 feet high; pinnae lanceolate, acuminate; pin- 

 nules oblong or oblong-scythe-shaped, obtuse or pointed, entire or crenately- 

 toothed ; sori close to the margin. 



Distribution. From Canada to Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and 

 Georgia. 



Poisonous properties. Probably has the same effect as the preceding 

 species. Dr. Johnson says : 



Oleo-resin of male-fern is one of the best known remedies for tapeworm, and also one 

 of the most efficient. Doubtless much of the disappointment experienced with it is at- 

 tributable to inefficient preparations. Since, however, it has been demonstrated that A. 

 marginale is quite as efficient, and as this species is very abundant, there is now no good 

 reason why reliable preparations should not be the rule rather than, as heretofore, the ex- 

 ception. 



Cystopteris. Bernhardi. Bladder Fern 



Fronds growing in tufts, 2-3 times pinnate, the lobes cut toothed; stipe 

 slender, 2-4 pinnate leaves; sori roundish, borne on the back of the veins. 



