22 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



Culture. 



This interesting, though unpretentious, genus consists of plants of most 

 extraordinary forms and of appearance unlike that of any other known Ferns. 

 The Botrychiums most closely resemble them, and they are also found in 

 somewhat similar situations, that is, growing amongst moss and grass in moist 

 meadows. Although none of the Ophioglossums are what may be termed 

 very ornamental, yet several of them should be grown, as they deservedly are 

 in some of our best collections, as great curiosities. The members of this 

 genus are widely scattered all over the globe, yet, with the exception of 

 0. pendulum^ which is found throughout the Tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere, 

 and consequently requires warm treatment, all the other known species are 

 distributed over Europe, America, and Africa, and require but little artificial 

 heat. America, indeed, is particularly prolific in Ophioglossums, the majority 

 of which come from Florida, Louisiana, Peru, and Brazil. 



Ophioglossums are useless as pot plants, and succeed best when planted 

 out in the Fernery, where a naturally damp spot should be prepared for them. 

 The compost should consist of fibrous loam and half-decayed sphagnum, in 

 about equal proportions, with an admixture of sand, in which their fleshy 

 roots plunge with avidity. Ophioglossums are not aquatic plants ; therefore, 

 although requiring a constantly moist situation, they must not on any account 

 be planted where there is any stagnant water. 



Propagation is usually effected by division. We are not aware that any 

 seedlings have ever been raised artificially. 



Principal Species and Varieties. 



0. (Rhizoglossum) Bergianum — Rhi-zog-los'-sum ; Berg-i-a'-num 

 (Berg's), Schlechtendahl. 

 This very delicate and distinct little, greenhouse species, the only one 

 known at present belonging to this section, with barren and fertile fronds 

 distinct, is a native of Cape Colony, where it is said to be rare. The barren 

 fronds are Jin. to lin. long, Jin. broad, and of a fleshy nature. The fertile 



