ASPLENIUM. 



635 



in the lower half, while the plant called A. rhizophorum, by Swartz is 

 conspicuously twice divided to the midrib. The most elegant and distinct 

 form in cultivation is the following : 



A. r. rachirhizon — rach-irh-i'-zon (rachis -rooting), Raddi. 



This is a very delicate-looking and extremely handsome Fern, native of 

 Brazil and the West Indies. On account of its gracefully-pendulous habit 



Fig. 123. Frond of Asplenium rhizophorum 

 (nat. size). 



it is well adapted for growing in a hanging basket, in which position it 

 shows to great advantage the beauty of its fronds : these are IJft. to 2ft. 

 long, smooth, and of a deep green colour, and they are borne on black, 

 polished, flexible, shghtly-winged stipes (stalks) ; their leaflets are cut into 

 pinnules (leafits) that are distinctly separated and again cut into narrow 

 segments. The fronds terminate in a long, tail-like process, bearing at its 

 extreme end a bulbil which roots very freely when brought into contact with 



