FERNS ON TREE STEMS 57 



Ficus repens ; or small erect growing Ferns round the base 

 make a nice finish. 



Taking the most suitable sorts — any that have the 

 spreading stolons, or rhizomes, may be employed. Among 

 those particularly adapted for the purpose are Davallia 

 heterophylla. This will soon cover a fairly large stem. 

 Davallia pedata is suitable for a short stem. Davallia 

 parvula is a lovely little Fern. A stem about 18 inches 

 high will suit this best, and it loves a moist, shady position 

 and a moderate stove temperature. The Drymoglossums are 

 all suitable. Of those specially useful are piloselloides, car- 

 nosum, and spathulatum. These may have stems from two 

 to three feet in height. Many of the Polypodiums might be 

 named. Of those specially suitable are venosum, squamu- 

 losum, nitidum, glaucum, serpens (often seen in gardens under 

 the name of Niphobolus rupestres). There are also several 

 usually found under the name of Pleopeltis; of these, 

 piloselloides, repens, and vaccinifolium. Of the last-named 

 there is a variety album, with silvery grey fronds. All 

 spread freely, and soon cover a moderate-sized stem. 



Niphobolus heteractis will cover a fair-sized stem, but 

 does not spread so rapidly as some. Asplenium abscissum 

 and A. obtusilobum should have short stems. The last- 

 named forms young plants on spreading rhizomes, much 

 in the same way as strawberry runners are produced. 



There are several Adiantums which may be recom- 

 mended. Among them, any of the capillus veneris 

 varieties, imbricatum being one of the prettiest, dola- 

 briforme and ciliatum (also known as Gbiesbreghti) — 

 they both form young plants at the extremities of 

 the fronds, and these will again extend even when 

 hanging down without anything to root into, but they 

 do better when pegged on to the moss-covered stems. 



For a larger stem, Nephrolepis pectinata may be recom- 

 mended, and there are also several others of this genus 

 that would do well. The Platyceriums are more suitable 



