144 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



have no central air-cavity, are mostly six-grooved, 

 and from three to sLx inches high, growing in 

 tufts. 



This species does not fruit freely, but can be 

 identified readily by the sheaths, which are only 

 three in number, short, somewhat loose and 

 persistent. 



It is not a common plant, being found in rich, 

 moist woods only occasionally in northern New 

 England, and rarely in the southern part. The 

 stems are evergreen, dark blue-green in color. 



The fertile spikes are small and ovoid in form ; 

 they mature in April and May, earlier than is 

 commonly supposed. 



