Ferns of the Bogs and Marshes 



once pinnate. Each pinna, which has untoothed 

 but slightly rounded edges, is cut almost to the 

 secondary midribs in a pinnatifid manner. The fronds, 

 including the leafstalks which are rather slender, bare 

 of scales, and straw-coloured, vary in height from 

 i to 3 feet. The long, black rootstock is a true 

 rhizome, creeping extensively and sending up fronds 

 at intervals and not in tufts. 



When we look at the almost transparent leafy parts 

 of the fronds, we can understand why this fern is quite 

 unfitted to endure the winter frosts. By the end of 

 September, sometimes before it, the fronds will have 

 completely disappeared. 



The botanical name of this fern is Nephrodium 

 Thelypteris. The generic name is derived from a Greek 

 word meaning " kidney," and the specific name, also 

 from the Greek, means " ladyfern," which was thought 

 to be a suitable name for this fern because of its 

 delicate, graceful fronds. 



Another and a much rarer Nephrodium to be found 

 in bogs is the Crested Buckler Fern, which is confined 

 mainly to England. The fronds of this fern are oblong 

 in outline and once pinnate. The shortly-stalked 

 pinnae are also oblong in shape, with lobed and toothed 

 segments attached to the midribs of the pinnae by 

 dilated bases. We must note the very erect posture 

 of these fronds, which range from I to 3 feet in height, 

 with leafstalks measuring about one-third of the entire 

 frond. The rootstock, which is covered with long, 



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