FOLIAGE PLANTS 367 



578. Polypodium, botanical classification. Order, 

 Polypodiacese ; genus, Polypodium (Greek, many feet, 

 referring to the extensive root-stocks) ; species, about 12, 

 of which vulgare, the native polypodium or rock brake, is 

 the most common. The species most commonly grown 

 under glass are polypodioides, and subauriculatum. 



579. Polypodium, botanical characters. Polypodium 

 is a genus with naked, round sori, the fronds jointed 

 to the rootstocks, where they leave a scar when they drop 

 off. The fronds are entire or once pinnate. 



Habitat. Throughout North and South America. 



580. Culture. Polypodiums are best grown in shallow 

 soil. They are almost epiphytal, and most species will 

 grow well in shallow soil or on trunks of trees. 



581. Phlebodium, botanical classification. Order, 

 Polypodiacese ; genus, Phlebodium (Greek, a vein, refer- 

 ring to the prominent veins) ; species, aureum. 



582. Phlebodium, botanical characters. Phlebodium 

 is a genus closely related to Polypodium, and confused with 

 it in trade. The characters are similar, the difference being 

 in the veining of the frond and the way in which the sori 

 are borne on the veins. Phlebodium aureum is one of the 

 larger ferns and is frequently seen in conservatories and 

 commercial greenhouses, being grown for its attractive 

 coloration. The fronds are two to three feet long, blue- 

 green in color, and bear on the back numerous large yellow 

 sori. There are several varieties. 



Habitat. Tropical America. 



583. Culture. Phlebodium grows excellently when 

 planted directly in the soil among palms and other ferns, 

 and the fronds are excellent to use with flowers for large 

 bouquets. A soil composed of equal parts leaf-mold and 

 chopped sod, with a little well-rotted cow manure, suits it 



