400 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS 



base, and gradually narrowed towards the point. The fertile fronds are 

 widely distinct, being sometimes wholly contracted and completely covered 

 with fructification, whereas in other cases their upper and lower parts 

 remain barren, and some of the leaflets in the middle of the frond only 

 become fertile, being thus similar to the fertile fronds of 

 Osmunda javanica and of 0. Claytoniana {Interrupta). Af 

 other times, again, their lower part only is contracted and 

 fertile, while their upper portion is as broad as in the 

 barren fronds. Both kinds of fronds are produced from 

 a long, creeping rhizome (prostrate stem) densely clothed 

 with narrow scales of a chestnut-brown colour, 

 and borne on stiff, upright stalks, those of 

 the barren fronds being Sin. to 4in. long and 

 those of the fertile ernes a little longer. — 

 Hooker, SjJecies F/Ucum, iii., p. 10, t. 146. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 294. 



L. opaca — op-a'-ca (dull), Baker. 



A stove species, native of Aneiteum and 

 New Caledonia. Its stem is ascending, and 

 is densely clothed at the crown with narrow, 

 dark brown scales. The barren fronds, Bin. 

 to 12in. long and 4in. to Gin. broad, are 

 very gradually narrowed below. They are 

 furnished with numerous narrow-oblong leaflets, 

 lin. to 2in. long, dilated and connected at the 

 base and closely set, bluntly rounded, and 

 slightly notched at their summit. The texture 

 is thick and leathery, and the colour dull 

 green. The leaflets in the fertile fronds are 

 very narrow and distantly placed. Mettenius 

 compares the habit of this plant with that 

 of L. ?iigra. L. emarginata of Carruthers is 

 identical with L. opaca. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum., p. 176. 



Fii. 98. (/) Barren and (2) Fertile Fronds 

 of Lamar ia onocleoides 

 (4 nat. size). 



L. ornifolia — or-nif-ol-i-a (Ash-leaved). A variety of L. procera. 



