No. 14.] FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS. 2$ 



DICKSONIA L'Her. 



Dicksonia punctilobula (Michx.) Gray (with small, dotted 



lobes). 

 Dicksonia pilosiuscula Willd. 

 Dennstaedtia punctilobula Moore. 

 Hay-scented Fern. 



Common. Rich woods, fence-rows and hilly pastures, in 

 both moist and dry ground, often forming large colonies. 

 Aug. 



The forma cristata (Maxon) Clute (crested), and the 

 forma schizophylla Clute (cut-leaved) are both reported 

 to occur rarely with the species. 



Sometimes a pest to farmers in rocky pastures, as stock 

 will not eat it and the plant is difficult to eradicate. It grows 

 well in cultivation. Forking fronds are not unusual. 



ONOCLEA L. 



Onoclea sensibilis L. (sensitive). 

 Sensitive Fern. 



Common. Low fields, swamps and along streams. Sterile 

 June; fertile Sept. 



The var. obtusilobata (Schkuhr) Torn (with blunt 

 lobes) sometimes occurs. It is apparently an abnormal form 

 caused by cutting or some injury to the earlier growth of the 

 plant. 



The sterile fronds are very susceptible to early frost, 

 whence the name. 



Onoclea Struthiopteris (L.) Hoffm. (ostrich fern). 

 Matteuccia Struthiopteris Todaro. 

 Ostrich Fern. 



Rich alluvial soil. Rare in most districts, but frequent 

 along the Connecticut and Housatonic Rivers and their larger 

 tributaries. Sterile June ; fertile Aug. — Sept. 



Our largest fern, the fronds occasionally reaching six feet 

 in height. It thrives in cultivation if given rich soil, and is 

 often grown for ornament. 



