BLECHNUM. 



13 



B. (Eublechnum) plantagineum — Eu-blech'-num ; plan-ta-gin'-e-um 

 (Plantain-like), Presl. 

 A stove species, from Panama, with entire fronds very similar to those 

 of A. Lanceola, from which it differs by having a distinct space between the 

 line of fructification and the midrib, — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 183. 



B. polypodioides — pol-yp-od-i-o-i'-des (Polypodinm-like). Synonymous 

 with B. unilaterale. 



B. (Eublechnum) rugOSUm — Eu-blecli''-num ; ru-go'-sum (wrinkled), 

 ' Moore. 



A very distinct, gTeenhouse Fern, of medium dimensions, remarkable for 

 the opaque pale green colour and the harsh, rugose surface of its narrow- 

 spear-shaped fronds, borne on densely-glandular stalks Sin. to 4in. long and 

 particularly hairy above, as are also the stalks. The leaflets are oblong, 

 blunt or sometimes abruptly pointed and sickle-shapecl. The sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed along the midrib, and extend from the base nearly to 

 the extremity of the leaflets. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 500. 



B. (Eublechnum) serrulatum — Eu-blech'-num ; ser-rul-a'-tum (saw- 

 edged), Richard. 



This very handsome, stove or greenhouse species is the only one in which 

 the leaflets are plainly and distinctly articulated to the stalks ; it is a native 

 of the West Indies, Guiana, Brazil, Australia, New Caledonia, Borneo, Malacca, 

 and North America, where it is called the " Florida Blechnum," and where, 

 according to Eaton, it is found wild in wet places, chiefly along streams and 

 about ponds, especially in the southern part of Florida. The fronds, produced 

 from a stout, ascending rhizome (prostrate stem) and borne on strong, erect, 

 smooth stalks Gin. to 12in. long, are 1ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, 

 and furnished on each side of their rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) with 

 from twelve to twenty-four distinctly-articulated pinna? (leaflets) of a leathery 

 texture. The pinnae are elliptical or narrow-oblong, 4in. to oin. long and ^in. 

 broad, gradually narrowed towards the point and downwards to a rounded or 

 obtusely wedge-shaped, often unequal, base ; their margin is very finely 

 toothed. The fertile leaflets, usually confined to the upper part of the frond, 

 are narrower and often longer than the barren ones. The sori (spore masses) 



