FOURTH NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW 
129 
ASPLENUM NIDUS AVIS 
ASPLENUM NIDUS AVIS 
THE BIRD'S NEST FERN 
BY J. W. P. 
One of the most beautiful Ferns adapted to house culture is the Bird's 
Nest Fern, Asplenum nidus avis. The fronds or leaves are produced around 
the center of the plant. Now the center is filled with a fibrous substance re- 
sembling very much a nest through which the young fronds unfold, looking 
as they first appear, like the eggs in the nest. While the plant was brought from 
India as long ago as 1820, it is only in later years that it is grown in quantity 
for the European markets, and still more recently for the American. It is 
now becoming known as one of the best plants for the home, growing well 
vmder adverse conditions and retaining its own peculiar beauty a long time. 
The Bird's Nest Fern can readily be distinguished from all other Ferns by its 
beautiful light green undivided leaves, which on full-grown specimens are from 
two feet to four feet long and from three inches to eight inches broad, making 
an altogether beautiful plant, but one that must be seen to be appreciated. 
