288 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. (Doryopteris) ornithopus — Dor-y-op'-ter-is ; or-ni'-thop-us (bird's- 

 foot-like), Mettenius. 

 This is a very pretty, stove species, of small dimensions, native of Southern 

 Brazil. It much resembles the better-known P. palmata as regards texture 

 and venation, but essentially differs from that popular species in having on the 

 fertile fronds several narrow segments like the claws of a bird, radiating from 

 an undivided centre. — Hooker^ Synopsis Filicum, p. 166. 



P. OuYrardi — Ouv-rar'-di (Ouvrard's). A form of P. cretica. 



P. paleacea — pal-e-a'-ce-a (scaly), Roxburgh. 



A very strong-growing, stove species, of little decorative value, native of 

 St. Helena, in the upper exposed part of Diana's Peak. Its fronds, 1ft. or 

 more each way, are borne on strong, erect stalks 2ft. to 4ft. long, of a reddish- 

 brown colour, and clothed throughout with large, brown scales. — Hooker^ 

 Species Filicum, ii., p. 186. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 243. 



P. (Doryopteris) palmata — Dor-y- 

 op'-ter-is ; pal-ma'-ta (hand-shaped), 

 Willdenow. 

 This small, stove species, also known 

 in gardens as Doryopteris collina, is very 

 distinct and deservedly popular, being of 

 easy culture and of great decorative value. 

 It is a native of Tropical America, its 

 habitat extending from the West Indies and 

 Colombia southward to Peru and Rio Janeiro ; 

 and, according to Lowe, its introduction into 

 the Royal Gardens, Kew, dates from 1840. 

 Its fronds, which are of two distinct forms, 

 are abundantly produced from a thick, fleshy crown. The barren ones, which 

 measure about 4in. across, are composed of five or more triangular lobes, of 

 which the terminal one is the largest ; they are borne on chestnut-brown, 

 polished stalks only about 4in. long. The fertile fronds are borne on stalks 

 sometimes 1ft. long ; they have the same hand-shaped outline, but they are 

 cut down to a broadly -winged centre into narrow lobes of which the upper 



Fig. 80. Portion of Mature Fertile Frond of 



Pteris palmata 



a nat. size). 



