PLATYLOMA. 



153 



PLATYLOMA ATKOPUEPUBEA (Dark purple). Though this 

 elegant Fern is a native of North America, it is not hardy 

 enough to bear our winters, but thrives well in a good 

 greenhouse. Fronds 10 inches high, bipinnate ; pinnae bluntly- 

 oval, and heart-shaped at the base, the end one lengthened- 

 out. Colour a purplish-green: hence the specific name. Spore- 

 masses continued on the margin, forming a broader band than 

 the Pterides. Increased but slowly by dividing the slow- 

 creeping rhizomes. A very beautiful Fern, and ought to be in 

 every collection. 



P. COEDATA (Heart-shaped). A beautiful Mexican Fern. 

 Fronds bipinnate, delicate, and erect, growing 1^ foot high; 



pinnse halbert or heart- 

 shaped, with a sharp point, 

 beautiful light green, and 

 hairy. Stalks light brown. 

 Increased by dividing the 

 thick, scaly, creeping root- 

 stock. This species loses 

 most of its fronds in winter, 

 and should then be kept 

 only just moist enough to 

 keep the roots alive. 



P. FALCATA (Sickle- 

 shaped), Fig. 70. A rather 

 tall Fern, from JN"ew Hol- 

 land. Fronds pinnate and 



Fig. 70. Platylomafalcata. ^art of frond ^nee-shaped, 2 feet high, 

 medium size.) growing nearly upright; 



pinnse oblong, suddenly coming to a point, heart-shaped at 

 the base, but sickle-shaped upwards, dull green and leathery. 

 Spore-masses long and narrow, placed transversely on the 

 pinnse, thus forming a broad belt close to the margin. Stalks 

 scaly. Increased by dividing the creeping rootstock. 



P. BOTUNDIFOLIA (Hound-leaved) . From JSTew Zealand. 



