CHAPTER XXIIL 



HELMINTHOSTACHYS, Kaulfuss. 

 (Hel-mintli-os'-tach-ys.) 

 Indian Flowering Fern. 



HE name of tMs monotypic genus is derived from helmins, 

 helminthos, a little worm, and stachys, a spike, in allusion 

 to the arrangement of the spore masses, which form a 

 peculiarly loose spike. Helminthostachys is included in the 

 sub-order Ophioglossacece, and forms in Hooker and Baker's 



" Synopsis Filicum " Genus 74 ; it is composed of a solitary handsome, 

 stove species, of singular appearance and closely allied to Botrychium. 



Culture. 



H. zeylmiica is a species somewhat difficult of cultivation, requiring 

 stove temperature all the year round and a constantly moist place. The 

 soil best suited to its requirements is a compost made of two parts rich 

 loam, one part leaf mould, and one part sand. Its propagation is very 

 slow, as it very seldom forms double crowns, and young plants have never, 

 to our knowledge, been raised from its spores, wliich are disposed in small, 

 crested clusters, forming a long, loose spike of peculiar shape. This plant 

 being deciduous, care must be taken that, during the resting season, its roots 

 and rhizome, both of which are of a- succulent nature, do not become dry, 

 in which case it would seriously suffer and possibly die outright. H. zeylanica 

 is of little value as a pot plant, but highly interesting when grown in a warm 



