68 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



BULBLET BLADDER PERN. 



Cystopteris bulbifera. 



Frond twice pinnate, the pinnae lanceolate- 

 oblong and at right angles to the rachis. The 

 pinnules are somewhat crowded, oblong, obtuse, 

 toothed or pinnatifid. Small bulblets are of- 

 ten borne underneath the pinnae and rachis, 

 which, when coming in contact with the soil, 

 produce new plants. It is from this charac- 

 teristic that the fern receives its common 

 name. 



The frond is widest at the base, the basal or 

 lowest pinnae being from one to four or five 

 inches long, and gradually shortening to the tip 

 of the fern. 



This is a very narrow, vine-like (though 

 not twining), graceful species, found in wet, 

 shaded ravines, but more commonly choosing 

 calcareous cliffs near falling water. While not 

 rare it may be so termed in some localities. It 

 grows from one to three feet long, the stipe 

 short and smooth. 



The sterile fronds are shorter and broader 

 than the fertile ones, but otherwise similar. 



The fruit-dots are round, and mature in July. 

 The indusium is hood-like, attached by a broad 

 base on the inner side, opening early at the 

 other side, and is somewhat ragged. 



