DESCRIPTIONS OF N.Z. FERNS. 41 



GLEICHENIA (MERTENSIA) FLABELLATA. (Glike-ne-a fla-bel-la-ta.) 



THE " FAN FERN." 

 PLATE VIII. No. 1. 



This fern grows in a similar manner to Gleichenia Cunninghamii, but is taller, and 

 has usually a greater number of crowns. The pirinae however grow erect instead of 

 horizontally, are lanceolate in form and only spread out into fans, so that the whole 

 plant presents the appearance of several pairs of fans one above the other, instead of 

 that of several umbrella frames. The pinnules are very long, narrow, and tapering, 

 with entire edges for the greater part of their length, but shallowly toothed towards 

 their tips. The sori are very numerous and are arranged in a single row on each side 

 of the midribs of the pinnules. They usually consist of four capsules each. The 

 rhizomes are scaleless or nearly so, as are also the stipites, rachides, and costae, but 

 there are sometimes a few hairs on the under side of the pinnules, which are green on 

 both surfaces. This fern has only been found from Auckland northwards, and is not 

 likely to be met with elsewhere. I have never heard of its being cultivated, though 

 whether this arises from any difficulty in growing it, or from its not occurring within 

 reach of growers, I cannot say. Those who have the opportunity should try to grow 

 it, as established plants would be readily saleable in distant parts of the Colony, as 

 well as in England and elsewhere. It occurs in Australia, Tasmania, and New 

 Caledonia. Mr. Colenso's " Gleichenia littoralis " is either a variety or closely allied. 

 From his description it is smaller and apparently has only one crown. Looks like 

 young G flabellata. Has been found at Whangaruru Bay, Great Barrier Island, and 

 the Thames, in bush near the sea coast. 



SUB-ORDER FOLYPODIACE^. (Pol-ly-po-di-a-ce-se.) 



The characteristics of this are the plants having the sori dorsal or marginal, sub- 

 globose, of many capsules, with or without involucres, usually pedicellated {i.e., 

 arranged round a central stalk or receptacle) more or less completely surrounded with 

 a jointed vertical and elastic ring, and bursting transversely. It contains many tribes, 

 of which a considerable number are represented in the colony, as may be seen by the 

 table. 



TRIBE CYATHEACE^. (Si-a-the-a-ce-s.) 

 Named from " cyathus," a cup. This tribe has the sori dorsal, globose, often 

 at or near the forking of a vein : capsules numerous, often very compactly arranged, 

 sessile or stalked, generally on an elevated receptacle, often mixed with hairs, usually 

 obovate, with a broad vertical or sub-oblique elastic ring. Involucres (wanting in 

 Alsophila) placed beneath the sorus, but curving upwards all round, so as to completely 



