222 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



G. (Mertensia) flabellata — Mer-ten'-si-a ; fla-bel-k'-ta (fan-shaped), 



Broimi. 



This essentially greenhouse species, no doubt the most popular and best- 

 appreciated of all those belonging to its section, is a native of Austraha 

 and Tasmania, also of JvTew Zealand and New Caledonia. It is a Fern of 

 robust, erect habit, making a magnificent specimen. The handsome, fan- shaped 

 fronds, produced from thick, underground rhizomes (prostrate stems) of 

 a woody nature, are very proliferous and two or three times forked, thus 

 producing a whorl of spear-shaped, ascending leaflets furnished with comb-Hke 

 pinnules (leafits) and terminating in a tail-like process. These pinnules or 

 segments are very narrow and of a bright green colour on both surfaces. 

 The sori (spore masses) consist of from one to four naked spore cases 

 disposed on each side of the midvein. The stalks are stout, of a dark 

 colour, and it is not unusual to see specimens 6ft. in height and 6ft. 

 through. — Hooher, Sjoecies Filicum, i., p. 6. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Garde7iing, ii., p. 73. Loive, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 50. 



G. (Mertensia) flagellaris — Mer-ten'-si-a ; flag-el-la'-ris (whip-like), 

 Sprengel. 



A stove species, native of the Mauritius, Bourbon, Madagascar, and Fiji 

 Islands, and abundant in Java and the Malayan Islands. It is a very 

 distinct Fern, with smooth fronds repeatedly dichotomous (divided in two), 

 copiously foliaceous (very leafy), often glaucous (bluish-green) underneath, and 

 of a somewhat leathery texture. The pinnae (leaflets) are extremely variable, 

 being sometimes nearly erect and at other times divaricate (spreading 

 irregularly in various directions) ; sometimes broad or narrowly spear-shaped, 

 5in. to Ift. and more long. Their segments, ^in. to 2in. or more in length 

 and linear (very narrow), are sometimes ferrugineo-tomentose (covered with 

 rusty- coloured wool) at the base beneath. The sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed two to four on each side of the midvein. G. hracteata, G. hifurcata, 

 G. Icevigata, and G. plumceformis are other names for this species. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, i., p. 10. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 73. 



G. furcata — fur-ca'-ta (forked). Synonymous with G. jjubescens. 



G. gigantea — gig-ant-e'-a (gigantic). A synonym for G. longissima. 



