4 OSMUNDA (JINN A MOM EA. 



A deciduous hardy Fern. 



Native of North America, Mexico, East Indies, and South 

 America. 



Introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1772, having 

 been received from Mr. Martin. 



Fertile and sterile fronds different, the barren fronds growing 

 round an erect caudex, and being inclined at an angle of 45°, 

 whilst the fertile fronds rise perpendicularly in the centre. 



Sterile fronds bipinnatifid, the pinnse being oblong-obtuse. The 

 fertile fronds bipinnate, and densely covered with a ferruginous 

 mass of hairs, as is also the stem of the sterile frond. Pinnse 

 usually alternate. Frond narrow, being only seven' inches and 

 a half in the widest part, and narrowing to the apex. Width 

 of pinnse three-quarters of an inch; usually about twenty-five 

 pairs of pinnae. 



Fertile frond erect, and twenty-six inches in length, of which 

 twenty-three inches is naked. Sterile frond about thirty-three 

 inches in length, the basal nine inches being naked. Mem- 

 branaceous; colour a bluish green. 



Stipes and rachis green. 



Fertile portion, when mature, a rich reddish brown, which, 

 in contrast with the stem covered with whitish wool, gives the 

 plant a singular appearance. 



Veins forked. 



In order to show the habit of the plant a wood-cut 

 illustration from a photograph is appended. 



For plants my thanks are due to the late Mr. Large, of 

 New York, and to Mr. Sim, of Foot's Cray; and for fronds to 

 Mr. G. Norman, of Hull. 



It may be procured of any Nurseryman. 



The illustration is from a plant in my own collection. 



I'ortion ot Bterile Pinna. 



