CHAPTER XIII 



Adiantums 



The popular Maidenhair-Fern is known to almost every- 

 one, yet few know that there are so many widely distinct 

 species of the same genus. In Hooker's "Species 

 Filicum" over a hundred species are described, and in 

 addition to these there are numerous garden varieties. 

 They are found in all parts of the world, and vary from 

 those with simple (or undivided fronds) to those cut up 

 into numerous sub-divisions. Some have close tufted 

 crowns, while others have rhizomes which spread freely. 

 Some are quite hardy while others require a stove 

 temperature. For convenience it may be as well to 

 divide them up into several groups. I will first take simple 

 fronded, or Reniforme Group. This consists of Ad. 

 reniforme, a most interesting little Fern from the 

 temperate regions. It is generally included in the 

 greenhouse Ferns, but I have found it do better 

 under warmer treatment. The variety asarifolium has 

 larger fronds and shorter stipes (or leaf-stalks). I have 

 raised both from spores, but have found them difficult to 

 establish. Ad. Parishi is the only other species with un- 

 divided fronds, and I have not seen this except in dried 

 specimens ; I believe it is not in cultivation in this 

 country at the present time. 



Macrophyllum Group. — These are mostly pinnate or 



bipinnate. A. macrophyllum is one of the most popular 



we have ; it can be raised from spores and grown in the 



stove where it is well exposed to the light ; the young 



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