302 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. t, flaecida— flac'-cid-a (weak), May. 



In this variety, which is as free-growing as the type, the fronds have 

 a bright, shining surface, their leaflets are narrower than those of the type, 

 and the terminal leafits are much elongated and slightly twisted. 



P. t. foliosa— fol-i-o'-sa (leafy), Schneider. 



This variety is readily distinguished from the species by its broader 

 fronds, the leafits of which are rounder, much larger, and overlapping ; also 

 by the very pleasing pale green colour of the entire plant, which is of a 

 denser habit.— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 597. 



P. t. grandiceps— gran'-dic-eps (large-headed), May. 



The fronds of this form are of an elegantly-arching or somewhat 

 drooping habit ; their extremity consists of a large, flattish, finely-tasselled 

 crest consisting of four or five principal divisions and numerous furcations. 

 The leaflets and leafits also terminate in smaller crests. — Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, iv., p. 597. 



P. t. Kingiana — King-i-a'-na (King's), Endlicher. 



This vigorous, noble-looking variety, of somewhat drooping habit, is 

 a native of Norfolk Island, and, according to Lowe, was introduced into the 

 Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1831, by Allan Cunningham. It differs from the 

 species principally in its general habit and also in its segments being much 

 larger (sometimes ljin. long and nearly £in. broad), without being toothed. 

 — Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, hi., t. 46. Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 ii., p. 188. 



P. t. Smithiana — Smith-i-a'-na (Smith's), Smith. 



This is no doubt the most striking form of P. tremula that has been 

 obtained from cultivation. Indeed it has very little outward resemblance 

 to the typical plant, being of a dense, compact, upright, rigid habit. Its 

 fronds, which attain 2ft. to 2jft. in height including the stalks, are extremely 

 irregular in their development : sometimes the whole frond consists of a large, 

 multifid tassel, while in other cases there are a few lateral leaflets to each 

 branching of the frond, and each one is terminated by a crest of a pleasing 

 bright green colour. 



