CHAPTER II 



LIFE HISTORY OF THE MALE FERN [DRYOPTERIS 

 (ASPIDIUM OR NEPHRODIUM) FILIX-MAS] 



The Male Fern along with the Marginal Fern (Dryopteris margin- 

 alis) have long been known to the pharmaceutical and medical pro- 

 fessions as the source of the drug Aspidium, a most valuable remedy 

 for the expulsion of tapeworm. The parts of these plants employed 

 are the rhizome and stipes which are collected in autumn, freed of 

 the roots and dead portions and dried at a temperature not exceeding 

 7 oC. 



HISTORY OF THE SPOROPHYTE OR ASEXUAL GENERATION 



Gross Structure of Stem. The main axis of Dryopteris Filix-mas 

 is the creeping underground stem or rhizome which is oblique or 

 ascending in habit. It gives off numerous roots from its lower and 

 posterior portions and fronds from its upper and anterior portions. 

 Behind the fronds of the present year are to be noted the persistent 

 stalk bases of fronds of previous seasons. Lateral buds are frequently 

 to be noted connected with these. The roots are slender and brown 

 with semi-transparent apices. They are, inserted on the bases of 

 the fronds, close to their junction with the stem. The growing end 

 of the rhizome is called the anterior extremity and is marked by the 

 presence of an apical bud overarched by young fronds. The opposite 

 end is known as the posterior extremity and in the living plant is 

 constantly decaying, as the anterior portion elongates. 



Histology of Mature Stem (Rhizome). Passing from periphery 

 toward the center the following structures are to be observed : 



1. Epidermis, a protective outer covering tissue, composed of a 

 single layer of brownish polyhedral cells from which are given off 

 scaly hairs. 



2. Outer Cortex (hypodermis), a zone of several layers of thick- 

 walled lignified cells separating the epidermis from the inner cortex 

 beneath. Its main function is to support the epidermis. 



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