8 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



LONG BEECH FERN. 



Phegofteris polypodioides (P. phegopteris). 



Frond twice pinnatifid, triangular, but longer 

 than it is broad, pale green and downy-hairy, 

 especially beneath. The pinnae are divided into 

 obtuse, oblong, entire segments, the basal ones 

 united to the winged rachis, with the lowest 

 pair sometimes shorter and usually deflexed or 

 bending forward, giving the fern a peculiarly 

 graceful appearance. 



The fronds grow from five to ten inches 

 high, on long stipes, from a creeping rootstock, 

 and are often found in beds. 



We may look for this fern in moist, shady 

 places, frequently with the others of this genus, 

 of which it is the most common, especially in 

 the north. 



The fruit -dots are naked, small and near the 

 margin ; they mature in July. 



BROAD BEECH FERN. 



Phegopteris hexagonoptera. 



Frond twice pinnatifid, triangular, usually 

 broader than it is long, and slightly downy- 

 hairy ; the pinno2 are sessile, and form an angled 

 wing along the rachis. The upper pinnae are ob- 

 long, obtuse, entire or toothed, — the lowest 



