LADY FERN 



Asfilenium filix-femina (L.) Bernn. 



T EAVES large, broadly lanceolate, twice pinnate. Pin- 

 -*— ' nae numerous, oblong, -witb very tapering points. Pin- 

 nules oblong, very numerous, tbe bases confluent with tbe 

 stem by very narrow margins, tbe small upper ones more or 

 less united, tbe edges variously tootbed. San sbort witb 

 straigbt or curved indusia, in two roAvs on eacb pinnule, be- 

 coming very conspicuous in late summer. Fertile and sterile, 

 leaves alike. Stems usually straw-colored, growing in turts 

 from a creeping rootstock. Entire rrond two or more feet 

 in lengtb. 



Xbis is tbe most delicate of tbe large ferns; it grows in 

 graceful clumps in sbaded moist w^oods in tbe ravines or up- 

 lands, and is very common. Mucb of its beauty is lost by 

 midsummer, w ben tbe leaves become beavily fruited and torn. 



/'..-.■ 7'ue/<0- 



