158 DESCRIPTIONS OF N.Z. FERNS. 



sheltered situations it is long ; but when growing in open ones, it is almost nominal. 

 At the top it branches into three rachides (whence the name ternatum) each of which 

 is bi-pinnate. The lower pinnules are stalked and the higher ones sessile, broadly 

 ovate or lanceolate, and indented into broad rounded or pointed lobes ; the general 

 appearance of the barren frond bearing a strong resemblance to uncurled parsley. 

 The lower portion of the stipes forms a sort of sheath, out of which the fertile spike 

 arises and grows to a greater height than the barren frond. The upper portion of it 

 terminates in a tri or quadri-pinnate panicle of narrow lobes, each of which bears a 

 double row of capsules all along it. The texture of the barren frond varies greatly. 

 In very sheltered places, where it grows large, it is almost membranous, with distinft 

 venation ; but in open places it is very thick and fleshy, with scarcely distinguishable 

 veins. In such cases it lies almost flat on the ground, and the fertile spike is similarly 

 shortened, and becomes a mere dense mass of capsules not more than an inch or two 

 in height. The colour varies from yellowish to brownish green. It is by no means 

 unusual to find two, and occasionally three, or even four barren fronds, branching out 

 alternately right and left, before the fertile one is reached. 



There seems to be some little confusion as to the name of this plant, for though 

 it has been variously called "Botrychium Australe," "B. Virginianum," "B. cicutarium," 

 " B. lunarioides," and " Osmunda ternata," some of these names seem to be applied 

 to other ferns in the Synopsis. I suspeft that in this, as in other cases, the fern differs 

 slightly in different countries and places, and thus the mere varieties are supposed to 

 be different plants. Formerly the New Zealand plant was called " B. cicutarium," a 

 name which exaftly describes its thick, fleshy texture, when occurring in open ground, 

 though not appropriate to the almost membranous one, which is found among high 

 manuka scrub, yet there can be no doubt as to the two forms being identical, for when 

 the scrub is cleared, the fern assumes the stunted fleshy type, the very same plants 

 thus changing their charafler. 



Variety B, " dissectum " (Plate XIII, Nos. 2 and 2a), is more local than the ordinary 

 plant, and is always found on very rich soil and usually in light scrubby bush. It is 

 like the other in its general charafter, but the barren frond is more divided, the lobes 

 being cut quite, or nearly, down to the costae, into narrow sharply-pointed ones. The 

 colour is also different, varying from a dark glossy metallic green to copper colour, 

 and the fertile spike is longer with fewer branches and capsules. It is also a smaller 

 plant. It was formerly called " Botrychium Virginicum," and " var. B. disseftum ;" 

 and for some time I thought it was really a distinct plant, till I found intermediate 

 forms, connefting it with the common type. 



Both varieties are easily cultivated, provided care is taken not to injure the roots 

 in moving them, and will pay for good soil by more luxuriant growth. They require 

 moderate shade only, and not much moisture to their roots. 



