27(S Proceedings of the Ohio Slate Aeadcui\ of Science. 



ovate or oblong. Sporangiophore long-stalked, much branched. 

 Low \vo(xls and open places. Root contraction very prominent. 

 ( ieneral in Ohio. 



(). Botrychiiiiii dissecfinn S])reng. Cutleaf Grape-fern. 



Plant rather robust with a much dissected leaf ])la(le on a 

 long stalk from near the base of the common petiole, the sporan- 

 giophore also long-stalked and much branched. Ultimate seg- 

 ments laciniate. Roots with prominent contraction. In various 

 habitats, meadows and open woods. General in the state. 



7. Botrycliiniii z'irginiinnnn ( L. ) Sw. Virginia Grape-fern. 



A plant from 1-2 feet high with a large, ternate, mem- 

 branous leaf, sessile on the common petiole ; sporangiophore long- 

 stalked, 2-3-pinnate. In rich woods and moist rocky ravines. 

 General and common in the state. 



Subclass, Leptosporangiatae. 



S]:)orangia arising from the epidermal cells commonly 

 stalked. 



Order, Filicales. 



Osinundciceae. Royal Fern Family. 



Large ferns with 1-2-pinnate leaves with free veins. Spor- 

 angia large, globose, without a ring. 



3. Osmunda L. 



Tall ferns, growing in moist places, swamps or bogs, in large 

 rosettes or crowns. Sporangia opening by a longitudinal cleft 

 into two halves. 



] . Leaves truly bipinnatc fertile at the apex ; veins in the pinnules once 

 and twice dichotomous O. regalis. 



1 . Sterile leaves bipinnatifid. 2. 



2. Leaves with fertile pinnae in the middle, sterile pinnae without a 



tuft of tomentum at the base O. claytoniana. 



