48 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



The indusia are the same as in the preceding 

 species. 



OSMUNDA. Flowering Fern. 



The name is from Osmimdcr, a Saxon name 

 for the divinity Thor. 



The Osimindas are a group of ferns all of 

 which are of large proportions. They produce 

 but one crop of ferns each year unless dis- 

 turbed, fruit very early, and are all among our 

 most common species. They are frequently mis- 

 called " brakes." 



None of the species of this genus have any 

 indusia. 



ROYAL FERN. 



Osmunda rcgalis. 



Frond twice pinnate ; pinnae distant, opposite, 

 each with several pairs of alternate pinnules, 

 with an odd one at the end. These pinnules are 

 an inch or more in length, entire, varying in 

 form from oblong-oval to lance-oblong, finely 

 toothed, and sessile or nearly so. The stipe 

 and rachis are smooth and shining. 



The fronds grow in crowns, in swamps, wet 

 woods and fields, and sometimes form hedges 

 on the borders of ponds and lakes. They are 

 pale green, very smooth and delicate, and from 

 two to five feet high. 



