180 



Hemionites arifolia Bedd. 



Caudex short, erect. Stipes dark-brown, 

 polished, hairy, those of the fertile frond longer 

 than those of the barren. Fronds 2-3 inches 

 each way. Barren frond heart-shaped, ovate, 

 with a deep notch at the base, apex and basal 

 lobes rounded. Fertile frond halberd-shaped 

 with the basal notch not so deep and the basal 

 lobes and the apex more pointed. Upper 

 surface dark green, naked, under surface pale 

 green ; hairy. Venation reticulated, meshes 

 obliquely elongated and rarely having free 

 included veinlets. Sori continuous along the 

 veins and reticulate. 



Distribution : Bombay Presidency South- 

 ern Ghats and in Kanara. 



South India in the plains and in the moun- 

 tains up to nearly 3,000 feet ; East Bengal 

 plains ; Ceylon ; Burma. Philippines. 



It grows in dry localities. Cultivated in 

 gardens in Bombay. 



TRIBE XII. ACROSTICHE^: 

 Sori spreading over the whole under-surface 

 or rarely over both surfaces of the frond, not 

 confined to the veins only. Fertile fronds or 

 segments always more or less contracted. 



