68 I. — FiLicES. [Lomaria- 



variable in form and structure, usually 1-4 ft. long, but in very 

 favourable situations reaching as much as 8 or 10 ft., very coriaceous, 

 rachis naked or scaly ; barren fronds with 3-20 pairs pinnse, 3-12 in. 

 long, which are linear or lanceolate, rounded, cordate or auricled at 

 the base, minutely toothed ; fertile pinnae narrow linear, distant,, 

 4-6 in. long ; involucre broad, membranous and ciliated. 



Synonyms. — L. latifolia, Golenso ; L. gilliesii. Hook.; L. capensis, 

 Willd.; Steganiaprocera and minor, 5r.y Blechnum procerum, LahilL,; 

 Parablechnum procerum, Presl.; Osmunda procera. For at.; Osmunda 

 capensis, L. 



Distributimi. — ^Throughout Central and South America to Chili ;. 

 South Africa ; Malay and Polynesian Islands ; Australia and Tas- 

 mania ; also in the Kermadec, Chatham, Auckland and Campbell 

 Islands. 



A most abundant fern in New Zealand, ranging throughout 

 all the islands, and ascending from sea-level to 3,000 ft. and even 

 more. Some of the smaller forms are common in swamps and 

 marshes, and very similar states in rather open, dry woods. The- 

 largest and most robust forms are usually on the banks of streams, 

 where the fronds are frequently pendulous. Sir J. D. Hooker defines 

 four varieties in the " Flora of New Zealand," which keep their 

 characters under cultivation. 



It is an extremely hardy plant under cultivation ; and though it 

 will grow readily in somewhat dry spots, it thrives best with plenty 

 of water and good under-drainage. 



In vol. ix. p. 491 of the "Trans. KZ. Institute," Mr. T. H. Potts 

 has described a peculiar and constant variety of this species under 

 the name of L. duplicata, from its branched fronds. 



10. L. flliformis, A. Cmm. 



Rliizome climbing trees, stout, covered with chaffy scales. Stipes. 

 1-4 in. long, rigid, often chafiy below. Fronds pendulous, glabrous, 

 coriaceous, of three forms ; sterile linear- or ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 ft. 

 long ; pinnffi 2-3 in. long, ^ in. broad, stalked, linear-lanceolate,, 

 tapering to a long point, regularly crenate-dentate ; those of the' 

 XowerjiarL-Qf the caudex usually 3-4 in. long, 1 in. broad, Imear ; 

 pinnre oblong, obtuse, sharply-toothed ; fertile ovate ; pinnce 3-4 in. 

 long, numerous, narrow linear. 



Synonyms. — L. propinqua, A. Cunn.; L. pimpinellaefolia. Hook./.;- 

 Osmunda reptans. Banks and Sol. ; Stenochlffina heteromorpha,, 

 ./. Sm. 



~j Distributimi. — Fiji. 



In the " Handbook Fl. N.Z.," this very distinct species is stated, on 

 the authority of Banks and Solander, to be " abundant throughout 

 the North and Middle Islands," It is common in the North Island 

 and the northern portions of the South Island, but does not extend 

 as far south as Banks' Peninsula. It is quite unknown in Otago. 



