FERN FAMILY 51 



This species is scarcely fern-like in appear- 

 ance. The fresh fronds are especially beautiful 

 in- the spring when they have a pinkish tint. 



The fertile fronds grow in the middle of the 

 crown of sterile ones, and are similar in form 

 excepting at their summit, where the fruit 

 forms in a flower-like panicle. It is from this 

 resemblance to a flower that it sometimes re- 

 ceives the name of I'lowering Fern. The fer- 

 tile portion is at first a yellowish green, becom- 

 ing a rich brown after maturity in June and 

 July. Unlike the other species of this genus, 

 the fertile portion persists many weeks. 



This is the only fern of this genus that is 

 found in Europe. 



CINNAMON FERN. 



Osmumia ciiinamomea. 



Sterile fronds pinnate, the pinnae deeply cut 

 into broadly oblong, obtuse, entire lobes. A 

 bit of cinnamon-colored wool is often found 

 at the base of each pinna. This and the ab- 

 sence of the deeply channeled stipe of the 

 Ostrich Fern are sufficient to distinguish it, 

 when not in fruit, from the latter, which it re- 

 sembles, 



A glance at the tips of all of the large ferns 

 which bear resemblance to each other is often 

 of service in determining the species, as the 



