LOMARIAS, BLECHNUMS, DOODIAS 87 



barren fronds have a bronzy metallic hue. The fertile 

 fronds are narrow and the whole surface covered 

 with the sori (or spore cases). This is a useful 

 Fern for the Greenhouse Rockery. 



L. procera is another distinct species which has rather 

 large pinnate fronds of a pale green, produced from a 

 thick prostrate stem, and throwing out thinner rhizomes 

 or stolons from which young plants are produced. This 

 is almost if not quite hardy and makes a fine fern for an 

 elevated position on the Rockery. 



Blechnums. Of these Brazilienze is one of the largest 

 growing and forms an erect stem. Corcovadense is of 

 similar growth, but has more undulated fronds, and a 

 lovely pink tint when young. B. occidental, B.polypodioides, 

 and B. latifolium are all of neat growth, and, when exposed, 

 the young fronds are highly coloured, and gradually 

 change to deep green in the two last named, and in 

 occidental they are of a pale soft green when matured. 



Doodias. These are nearly allied to the foregoing 

 genera, and include a few very pretty species, of which 

 D. aspera is one of the most useful. It has erect fronds, 

 with stiff, almost black stipes ; the young fronds have a 

 beautiful rosy tint, changing to deep green. D. a. multi- 

 fda has much smaller fronds, which terminate in a tasselled 

 crest and droop over, and are even brighter when young 

 than the parent. D. media and D. caudata all do well 

 under cool treatment, similar to that recommended for 

 the Lomarias. 



