Aspleniuvi] I. — filices. 77" 



at the base. Fronds tufted, usually pendulous, coriaceous, 6 in.- 3 ft.. 

 long, pinnate or 2-pinnate, very variable ; pinnse 4-10 in. long in 

 larger forms, lanceolate, rigid and erect, or flaccid and drooping,, 

 stalked, deeply pinnatifid or cut down to the rachis into narrow 

 linear, oblique or incurved, obtuse pinnules, which are |-|- in. long, 

 and bear one vein in each. Sori oblong, on or near the margin of 

 the segments. 



Synonyms. — A. heterophyllum, A. Eich., A. odontites, R. Br.; 

 Csenopteris flaccida, Thunherg ; C. novse-zselandise, Sjyreiigel ; Darea 

 flaccida. Smith. 



Distribution. — Australia, Tasmania, Natal and the Sandwich" . 

 Islands; also found on the Auckland and Chatham Islands. .^-^ 



This is an extremely variable species, passing into A. richardi, 

 A. bulbiferum,, A. liookerianum, A. obtusatum, and even in some of 

 its forms into A. falcatum. In the " Handbook to the N.Z. Fl.,"' 

 six varieties are defined, but these are just some of the intermediate 

 forms referred to. Its habitats are very various, the typical flaccid 

 forms being found chiefly in damp, forest regions, pendulous from 

 trees or rocks ; the sea-side forms show a tendency to pass into the- 

 varieties of A. obtusatum, while those occurring in alpine districts 

 are usually short, stout, and very coriaceous. 



In almost all its varieties it is a very hardy and easUy cultivated 

 fern. It is common in aU parts of New Zealand. 



9. A. umbrosum, J. Smith. 



Rhizome stout, creeping. Stipes 1 ft. or more long, strong, erect, 

 with dark scales below, polished above. Fronds 2-4 ft. long, broadly 

 deltoid, 1-1-^ ft. broad, bright-green, membranous and rather flaccid, 

 2- or 3 -pinnate ; pinnje ovate lanceolate, acute or acuminate ; 

 pinnules 1-2 in. long, oblong-lanceolate, cut down to the rachis into- 

 numerous linear-oblong, obtuse, sometimes unequal segments, which 

 are usually deeply incised or crenate ; veins oblique, usually forked, 

 Sori close, several on each segment, oblong ; involucre large,, 

 membranous, tumid, bursting usually along the margin, the sori 

 often at length covering the centre of the segment. 



Synonyms. — A. Australe, Brackenridge ; A. brownii, .ffboA. ; A.. 

 physosorus, Sieb. ; Allantodia austraUs and A. tenera, H. Br. 



Distribution. — Madeira, Canaries, Azores, Guinea Coast, Himalayas 

 (ascending to 6-8,000 ft.), Ceylon, Java, Australia and Tasmania. 



In New Zealand this is the most limited in distribution of aU the 

 Asplenia, occurring chiefly to the north of Auckland in the N. 

 Island, and only at Nelson in the S. Island. 



It is a beautiful species, but in the greater gart of these islands is 

 too delicate for any but in-door culture. It grows in its native- 

 habitats in damp, deeply-shaded woods. 



