414 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



L. S. polydactyla — pol-yd-ac'-tyl-a (many-fingered), Moore. 



A beautiful variety, originally found in Cornwall, and one which, although 

 not exactly crested, is exceedingly ornamental ; for its barren fronds, of the 

 same size as those of the typical plant, bear at the 

 summit a beautiful group of five or six leaflets of 

 a peculiarly flat nature (Fig. 102), a character which 

 is also noticeable in the fertile fronds. — Nicholson^ 

 Dictionary of Gardening^ ii., p. 295. 



L. S. ramo-cristata — ra'-mo-cris-ta'-ta (branched 

 and crested), Loiue. 

 A very pretty and distinct variety, of small 

 dimensions, with twin or several times branched barren 

 fronds about 5in. long, divided and crested at the 

 summit of each branch (Fig. 103). The short and 

 comparatively broad leaflets are almost square at their extremities. This 

 form was originally discovered in Yorkshire by Mr. C. Monkman. — Lowe., 

 Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 390, fig. 800. 



Fig. 102. Barren Frond of 

 Lomaria Spicant polydactyla 



(J nat. size). 



L. S. ramosa — ra-mo'-sa (branched), Lowe. 



This variety, found in a wild state near Wicklow, in Ireland, and at 

 Windermere, is perhaps the handsomest form of L. S'picant with which 

 we are acquainted. Its barren fronds, about 

 6in. long, have their rachis (stalk of the leafy 

 portion) divided into two or three branches, 

 and the extremities of the divisions much cleft 

 and crisped, forming tufts or tassels fully 3in. 

 across, the lower parts of the branches being 

 normal, and the leaflets contracted towards the 

 base. The fertile fronds, of a more erect 

 habit, are produced more abundantly than is 

 usually the case, and disposed in the centre 

 of the plant ; they are equally furnished with 



a terminal crest, which, however, is of smaller dimensions than the barren 

 fronds. — Loive, New and Rare Ferns, iv., t. 21a ; Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 385. 



Fig. 103, Barren Frond of Lomaria 

 Spicant ramo-cristata 

 Q nat. size). 



