2 6 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
several such fronds rising from a woody crown. It usually 
grows in moist spots in small bushes, where it gets abundant 
root-moisture and still is not in heavy shade. In cultivation 
it enjoys abundant drainage and good water-supply ; with 
these conditions and partial shade it does well. Planted out 
it likes a good fresh border or rockery, but hates stagnant 
saturation. 
DRYOPTERIS is a large and hardy genus, easily cultivated, 
and seldom requiring shade. Most of the species grow in the 
open, along streams or under banks, or in ant-bear holes or 
similar localities, and as they have to endure annual grass 
fires, creeping rhizomes covered with scales, or short crowns, 
are usual. D. parasitica (= Nep hr odium molle ) is a market 
favourite in London, especially its crested forms ; D. lanuginosa 
(=N. catopteron ) often makes beautiful specimen plants in Eng- 
lish conservatories, and D. Buchananii is equally pretty though 
more rare. The pretty little D. thelypteris , which is British 
as well as South African, always grows naturally in wet grassy 
swamp, but is not difficult of cultivation in well-drained pots. 
D. gongylodes is also a swamp fern, but of much larger size 
and often found in partial shade, and easily cultivated. D. 
elongata has been classed as a variety of the British male 
fern, but is exceedingly different in cutting though its culti- 
vation is equally simple. D. inaequalis and D. athamantica 
belong to the same group, and though regarded as rough 
wild ferns are very easily cultivated and stand any amount 
of abuse, as also is the case with the group which includes 
D. Bergiana , D. mauriiiana and D. parasitica. 
D. prolifera and D. silvatica having much resemblance to 
D. gongylodes , grow naturally in similar somewhat swampy 
localities, but in cultivation can be successfully grown in well 
drained fresh soil which is never allowed to become quite 
dry. D. prolifera is a lovely drooping fern, and most effective 
in hanging baskets. 
D. africana is like D. Bergiana and grows in wet places in 
forests, usually along the streams. It consequently requires 
moist atmosphere in shade, together with good drainage. 
