M THE OSMUNDAS. 



alternate with those on the other. The pinnae and pin- 

 nules are set at some distance from each other giving 

 the whole frond a light and graceful appearance. 



The flowering fern produces a single crop of fronds 

 each season and form a clump that is more pyramidal 

 than vase-like in shape. Apparently its lighter, looser 

 foliage makes it unnecessary for its fronds to spread to 

 catch the light. The rootstock often gives off short 

 branches which form new crowns of fronds 

 .*.-*.<; ^rw: close to the original one. Sterile and fer- 

 tile fronds are alike, except that in the 

 latter the several pairs of pinnae com- 

 posing the upper part of the frond are 

 changed to spore-bearing organs after the 

 manner of the interrupted fern, and like 

 it, showing many curious gradations be- 

 tween fertile and sterile pinnules. Forms 

 f have been reported with fertile pinnules 



SPORE-CASES. i n the middle of the frond. The fruiting 

 panicle is bright green until the spores ripen. It then be- 

 comes rich brown in colour and bears no small re. 

 semblance to a panicle of small flowers, whence the well 

 known common name. The spores, as in the other 

 Osmundas, are green. 



This species has probably received more common 

 names than any other. Royal fern, regal fern, king fern, 

 and royal Osmund have doubtless been prompted by 

 the same feeling that led Linnaeus to give it the name of 

 regalis. Ditch fern is doubtless in allusion to its grow- 

 ing near water, while buckthorn or buckhorn brake prob- 

 ably has reference to the appearance of the crosiers. It 

 has also been called French bracken, royal moonwort, 

 and St. Christopher's herb, the latter connecting it with 

 the legend of St. Christopher. 



