374 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



English origin : 



grandiceps 1890 



Western . . ..'...,. . "... 1903 



superba . . . ; ..,,,... 1910 



superba spiralis t . . . . . 1906 (?) 



todeaoides (London Fern) . . . . ..-.'. . 1906 



exaltata superba . . . . .. . . . 1907 



Mayii . . . . . . . . . . ... . . 1906 



lycopodioides . . . . .... . . 1909 



Marshall! . . . .;. . . . . . . . 1909 



Marshalli corapacta . . . .. . . ... 1911 



Wilmottae . . . .. . . ... . . 1912 



Millsii . . .... . . . . ... 1912 



604. Sword ferns, botanical characters. The sword 

 fern is a small genus of subtropical ferns having pinnate 

 fronds. The family shows wide variation, and the vari- 

 eties of exaltata are especially numerous. The variations 

 take the form of subdivisions of the pinnae, making 

 peculiarly crested or feathery forms. 



Habitat. Florida to Brazil, New Zealand and Java. 



605. Propagation and culture. Propagation is by 

 runners and spores. Sword ferns are very easily grown and 

 make excellent house plants. They adapt themselves 

 to a wide range of conditions, and will do equally as well 

 on a living-porch in summer as in a living-room, provided 

 they are accustomed gradually to the change of conditions. 

 When growing rapidly, the tips are easily injured, and 

 the plants should be so placed that they will not be 

 brushed against. Any good garden loam, with one- 

 third well-rotted manure 01 compost, makes an excellent 

 soil for them. It should be mixed several days before 

 the potting is done, that all heating caused by fermenta- 

 tion may be avoided, as decomposing organic matter 

 injures the roots seriously. It is rarely wise to keep old 

 ferns, although some specimens do not become unsightly 



