392 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



constitution than most other species, for it produces from a single crown 

 fronds frequently reaching 2jft. in height, including the naked, light green 

 stipes (stalks), 1ft. to l£ft. long, on which they are borne. Their barren 

 portion, Sin. to 12in. long and 4in. to Sin. broad, consists of a terminal leaflet 

 and from four to twelve pairs of lateral ones, all stalkless, the lowest the 

 largest, 2in. to 6in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, pointed at their extremity, their 

 base rounded or heart-shaped : they are bright green and of a tolerably tough 

 texture, and have a distinct midvein extending to their extremity. The 

 fertile portion, borne on a stalk Sin. to Sin. long, is composed of short, con- 

 tracted segments, disposed in a dense panicle 4in. to 9in. long. See Coloured 

 Plate. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 435. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 i., p. 73. 



Several varieties of this species are in cultivation, the most striking of 

 which are here described : 



A. P. fcetida— fcet'-id-a (fetid), Baker. 



A variety distinguished from the species only by its smaller dimensions 

 and by the disagreeable smell that is emitted by its foliage at all times, but 

 principally during the development of the young fronds. 



A. P. fraxinifolia — frax-in-if-ol'-i-a (Ash-leaved), Raddi. 



A variety with fronds seldom exceeding ljft. in length, including the 

 somewhat hairy stipes (stalks) on which they are borne. Their barren part 

 consists of a terminal leaflet and of eight or nine pairs of lateral ones ; these 

 are entire, egg-shaped, 2jin. long, lin. broad, and closely set together. The 

 fertile portion, composed of short, contracted segments produced in pairs 

 from the base of the lower pinnae (leaflets), forms a very dense panicle 

 about 9in. high, light green in its young stage, but turning with age to a 

 peculiar light brown colour. 



A. P. lineata — li-ne-a'-ta (lined), Moore. 



This singular variety differs from the species only through the yellowish- 

 green central stripe extending to the end of the pinna? (leaflets) in all the 

 fronds. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, \., p. 73. 



A. P. plumbea — plum'-be-a (leaden-grey). A synonym of A. P. tessellata. 



