ASPLENIUM. 623 



from a slowly -creeping rhizome, average about 10in. in height, and are 

 borne on firm, upright stalks 3in. to 6in. long, densely clothed at the 

 base with large, thin, grey, spear-shaped scales. They are oblong in shape 

 and composed of a terminal leaflet of about equal dimensions to the five 

 or six pairs of lateral ones, which are lin. to Sin. long, somewhat wedge- 

 shaped at the base and obtuse at their extremity, their margins being 

 deeply toothed. The abundant and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are 

 broad and fall short of the edge. — Hooker, Species Filicum, hi., p. 96. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 132. Lowe, Ferns British and 

 Exotic, v., t. 5b. 



Several variations, which in commerce are usually considered as species, 

 are largely grown for decoration, the most distinct being the following : 



A. O. difforme — dif-for'-me (deformed), R. Brown. 



This differs from the typical plant in its fronds being of a leathery 

 texture and in having their leaflets cut down to a narrow-winged stalk in 

 the lower part into distinctly- separated, roundish or oblong, sinuated leafits. — 

 Hooker, Synopsis Filicum,^. 207. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 132. 



A. O. lucidum — m'-cid-um (shining), Forster. 



This, the common A. lucidum of commerce, is a very decorative, free- 

 growing form, whose fronds, of a graceful habit and beautiful shining- 

 green colour, often measure 2ft. in length and 1ft. in breadth. The leaflets, 

 which vary from fifteen to twenty on each side of the stalk, are oblong, 

 leathery, Gin. long, ljin. broad, and narrowed gradually to a long, tapering- 

 point ; their edge is also more deeply toothed. The long lines of sori 

 (spore masses) are placed so near together that when mature they become 

 confluent, and when in that state the dark brown fructification forms 

 a very pleasing contrast to the vivid colour of the frond. This New 

 Zealand variety is an easily-cultivated plant ; although doing well in the 

 mixture recommended for Aspleniums in general, it will be found of a brighter 

 colour and will produce fronds of a more pendulous nature if potted or 

 planted . in a mixture of fibrous peat and sand only.— Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, hi., p. 99. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 132. Lowe, 

 Ferns British and Exotic, v., t. 4. 



