Pinnule of mature Frond— upper side. 



OSMUNDA GRACILIS. 



Link. Kunze. Schott. 



PLATE IV. VOL. VIII. 



Osmunda hnmilis, 

 " palustris, 



Sweet ? 

 Link. Sweet. 



Osmunda — Derivation dubious, probably from the Saxon, Osmund. 



Gracilis — Slender. 



A charming delicate-looking flowering Fern, somewhat 

 resembling a very delicate Osmunda Regalis. 



A deciduous hardy species. 



Native of North America. 



Fronds bipinnate, the pinnae opposite or sub-opposite, and 

 distant; pinnules large in size, about six pairs on each pinna, 

 with an ultimate larger one, and this ultimate pinnule frequently 

 connected with one or both of the pinnules immediately below 

 it. The pinnules are short-stalked, and much larger than in 

 O. Regalis. 



Veins forked, and less distinct than in O. Regalis. 



Stipes roundish, not hirsute, and green. 



Length of frond about twenty-six inches, of which the basal 

 twelve to fifteen inches is naked. Length of pinnae eight 

 VOL. VIII. c 



