THE BRACKEN GROUP 



Sporangia near or on the margin of the segments, the 

 reflexed portions of which serve as indiisia. 



1. Bracken or Brake 

 Ptcris aqiiilina. Pteridium latiusculuh* 



Fronds broadly triangular, ternate, one to three feet 

 high or more, the widely spreading branches twice pinnate, 

 the lower pinnules more or less pinnatitid. Sporangia 

 borne in a continuous line along the lower margin of the 

 ultimate di\'isions whose reflexed edges form the indusium. 

 (Greek, ptcron, a wing, the feathery fronds suggesting the 

 wings of a bird.) 



"The heath this night must be my bed. 

 The bracken curtain for my head." 



Scott. 



The outlines of the young bracken resemble the little 

 oak fern. It flourishes in thickets and open pastures, 

 often with poor soil and scant shade. It is found in all 

 parts of the world, and is said to be the most common of 



* The u.se of small capitals in the scientific names indicates in part 

 the newer nomenclature which many botanists are incline<l to adopt. 



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