BULBLET BLADDER FERN 



Cysto;^teris oulhifera (L.) joernn. 



VERY long, slenaer, twice-compound vine-like leaves, 

 frequently bearing one or more fleshly bulblets on the 

 under side at tne bases or tne upper leaflets. Pinnae nu- 

 merous, oblong-lanceolate, tKe basal ones longest; pinnules 

 crowded, distinct only m tne lowest pinnae, oblong and 

 blunt, variously divided and toothed. Son few, inconspic- 

 uous, rounded, placed near tne base of some of the ultimate 

 divisions. Indusium snort, nood-like, early withering. Ster- 

 ile fronds shorter and broader, not common. Stems short, 

 slender, light-colored, rather brittle, arising from a short 

 rootstock. Leaves drooping, sometimes two feet long. 



There are two bladder ferns in the Dells. The name 

 bladder has reference to the delicate hood-shaped indusium. 

 The bulblets of this fern, which are really buds, afford a 

 quicker means of propagation. It is typically a plant of lime- 

 stone regions, found only m a few of the ravines, where it 

 trails its del.cate foliage over the dripping rocks. 



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