A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
213 
DOODIA — continued. 
D. aspera. 
This pretty^ evergreen, greenhouse species, of erect 
habit, is a native of Temperate Australia. It is easily 
distinguished from all other known species by the harsh 
and rigid nature of the dark-coloured stalks of its fronds. 
The fronds, which are abundantly produced from a short- 
creeping rhizome, are oblong-spear-shaped. Gin. to 18in. 
long, 2in. to 4in. broad, and pinnatifid; the numerous 
long and narrow leaflets have their margins strongly 
toothed and their base dilated, the lower ones dwindling 
to mere auricles. They are of a particularly tough tex- 
ture, and while in a young state, and until quite 
developed, are of a very beautiful purplish-metallic hue, 
which gradually turns to the darkest green. The oblong 
sori are disposed in one or two rows, the inner situated 
at a short distance from the midrib. Two remarkably 
pretty and distinct varieties have been produced in D. a, 
corymhifera, a plant of stiff, erect habit, with fronds seldom 
attaining more than half the dimensions of those of the 
type, and densely crested at their extremity ; and D. a, 
multifida, in which the fronds, instead of being erect, like 
those of the type, are elegantly drooping, and instead of 
being densely crested, like those of the foregoing variety, 
are several times forked at their extremity (Fig. 90) ; their 
leaflets show the same character. Both these varieties, 
the latter of which reproduces itself freely and true from 
spores, the foliage, of a beautiful claret colour w^hen young, 
gradually assumes a copper tint and changes to a dark 
green with age. 
D. caudata. 
An easily-cultivated, greenhouse species, which comes 
up readily in crevices and on pots in all Ferneries where 
one plant of it has been once introduced ; it is a native 
of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Speaking of 
this plant. Dr. Hooker, in his ''Flora of New Zealand,^' 
says : '' It is very closely allied to D. media, and probably 
la viariety of it, but more flaceid, the f rouds' often prostrate, 
pinnate nearly to the top, fertile more distinct from the 
barren, and longer.'' D. c. confluens (identical with 
D. linearis of J. Smith) differs from the type in having 
narrow-linear fronds, the upper part of which is un- 
divided, while only the lower third is sinuate and pin- 
natifid ; their lobes are rounded, and the lowest ones are 
very distinct. It is a native of New Caledonia and Australia. 
D. linearis. 
Synonymous with D. caudata confluens. 
