A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
163 
ASPLK^IVM— continued. 
A. lunulatum. 
This pretty, stove species, also known as A. erectum, is 
very widely distributed throughout the Tropics. It is of 
medium dimensions, and its narrow-spear-shaped fronds, Gin. 
to 18in. long and only about l^in. broad, borne on nearly 
naked, grey stalks 2in. to 4in. long, are furnished with from 
twenty to twenty-five pairs of leaflets about lin. long, ^in. 
broad, bluntish at the point, and more or less deeply notched 
throughout. These fronds are of a thin, papery texture, 
dark green in colour, and the lower pinnae are often deflexed, 
whereas the others are all horizontal. The sori, disposed on 
each side of the midrib, form oblique lines falling short of 
both edge and midrib. Several pretty and distinct forms of 
A, lunulatum are cultivated as decorative Ferns, the prin- 
cipal ones being A, I, Fernandesianum of Kunze and 
A, I. reclinatum of Houlston (A. tenellum of commerce, 
Roxburgh). The former is distinguished from the typical 
plant by its more rigid habit and also by the more leathery 
texture of its leaflets, while the latter is a form with wide- 
spreading fronds of equally dark green colour but copiously 
proliferous at their extremity. 
A. marinum. 
Though found in many countries, it is chiefly as a 
British plant that this species is most interesting. The Sea 
Spleenwort generally grows in chinks of rocks, to the sides of 
which it clings so firmly that it is very difficult to remove the 
plants without injuring them. Fortunately it is a free- 
growing Fern which, even when detached with only a few 
roots, readily starts into growth under good treatment. Its 
firm, leathery foliage, of a pleasing dark green colour and 
most peculiarly glossy nature, renders it one of the most 
distinct of our native Ferns. The fronds, under generous 
cultivation, sometimes attain 20in. in length. They are pro- 
duced from a single succulent crown almost entirely covered 
with black, chaffy scales, which, however, do not extend 
along the stalk ; they usually are oblong-spear-shaped, from 
6in. to 12in. long and 2in. to Sin. broad, and are borne on 
tufted, polished stalks Sin. to Gin. long and of a chestnut- 
brown or nearly black colour. The abundant leaflets are 
of a leathery texture and bright shining green in colour ; 
those of the lower half of the frond are quite distinct 
(Fig. 70), spreading horizontally, lin. or more long, ^in. 
broad, with their point sometimes sharp but more usually 
blunt and their margin notched and toothed, slightly trun- 
cate below and often eared above. The broad sori fall shori 
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