882 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



readily distinguished by its larger fertile fronds, which are borne on strong, 

 erect, dark chestnut -brown stalks 6in. long. These fertile fronds are 1ft. to 

 \\it. in length and oin. in breadth, and are furnished with contracted leaflets 

 IJin. to 2in. long, suddenly enlarged at the base on both sides. The barren 

 fronds, about 6in. long, lin. to l^in. broad, spear-shaped, and almost 

 stalkless, have their leaflets of a leathery texture and dark green colour, 

 somewhat sickle-shaped, enlarged at the base, and blunt at their extremity ; 

 the lower ones are reduced to mere auricles. See Fig. 94. — Hooher, Species 

 FiliGum, iii., p. 12. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 293. 



This charming little evergreen plant is well adapted for growing in 

 Fern-cases and in small crevices of rockwork. ' Although in general appearance 

 it somewhat resembles L. alpina, it is quite distinct from that species, but it 

 can be used for the same purposes. Its pretty Httle fronds are abundantly 

 produced from creeping rhizomes (stems) remaining close to the ground, into 

 which they root freely. 



L. Boryana — Bo-ry-a'-na (Bory's), Willdenow. 



Undoubtedly this is one of the most distinct species of the whole genus ; 

 it is a highly decorative, greenhouse plant, native of the West Indies to the 

 Falkland Islands and Straits of Magellan, and in gardens is better known 

 under the synonyms L. magellanica and L. zamioides than under its proper 

 name. It is easily distinguished from any other Lomaria by its extremely 

 dense habit and the succulent texture of its foHage. Although it hardly 

 grows to sufficient height to be classed among Tree Ferns, it produces a 

 stout, massive trunk or stem, which on the Organ Mountains of Brazil 

 attains a height of from 3ft. to 4ft., and is densely clothed with large, deep 

 black, chaffy scales. From the trunk rise a quantity of sturdy, egg-shaped 

 barren fronds Ift. to 2ft. long, 6in. to Sin. broad, and having the general 

 appearance, of Zamia-leaves. They are borne on stout, erect stalks 4in. to 

 Gin. long, and are furnished with spear-shaped leaflets, gradually narrowed 

 to the point, narrowed and sometimes auricled (eared) at the base, and so 

 closely set as to be almost imbricated (overlapping), especially in young- 

 plants. The colour of the . upper side is a dark, shining green, whereas the 

 under-surface is at first of a bright tawny hue, gradually turning to a very 

 pale green in mature fronds. The fertile fronds are of more upright habit. 



