i8 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
This is quite a distinct species, and does not vary at all ; 
always growing beside streams in deep shade, and often in 
company with P. aculeatum , but without any intermediates. 
In the Syn. Fil. Baker places it as a variety of A. aculeatum , 
and in Christensen’s Index it stands as the African form of 
P. lobatum (Huds.) Pr. Tent., but I consider it quite a good 
species. 
Polystichum luctuosum. Moore’s Index , 1858 ; Pappe and Rawson, 14. 
Aspidium luctuosum. Kze, Linnaea , 10, 548 ; Buchanan’s List, No. 79; 
Sim, Ferns of S. Afr ., 1st ed., 167. 
Aspidium aculeatum Sw., var. luctuosum. Hk. and Bkr, Syn. FiL 
252; Wood, Natal Ferns, 25 ; Lady Barkly’s List, No. 95. 
Polystichum lobatum (Huds.). Pr. Tent. 83, 1836, variety; C. Chr. 
Index, 583. 
South Africa only; nowhere common. 
East. — Bedford (Atherstone) ; Boschberg (MacOwan). 
Kaff. — Phillipstown (E. and Z.) ; Katberg (Holland) ; Perie Mission 
Station, Sage’s Bush, Frankfort (T. R. Sim); Engcoba (Flanagan, 
2781). 
Natal. — Maritzburg and Nottingham, 3000 to 4000 feet alt. (Buchanan); 
upper districts (Wood); Nkandhla (Marriott); Bulwer (T. R. Sim). 
Transvaal. — Barberton, 3000 ft (G. Thorncroft). 
39. Polystichum adiantiforme (Forst.) J. Sm. 
Plate 29. Lower pinnae, nat. size. 
Rhizome creeping, six to eighteen inches long, one inch 
diameter, often epiphytal on trees, shaggy, with long yellow 
scales. Fronds deltoid, rather distant, coriaceous, three-pin- 
nate, one to three feet long, one to two feet broad, and with 
a stout stipe, which is densely paleaceous below, and with 
scattered ovate scales upward. Lower pinnae largest, deltoid, 
stalked ; with stalked, deltoid, secondary pinnae, which are 
cut below to the mid-rib into ovate, blunt, bluntly toothed, 
or lobed, glabrous pinnules, which are confluent above. Sori 
very large, generally numerous. 
P olystichum adiantiforme (Forst.). J. Sm. Hist. Fil. 220, 1875 ; C. Chr. 
Index, 578. 
Aspidium capense Willd. Hk. and Bkr, Syn. Fil. 254 (not A. cape?ise 
Desv.); Sim, Ferns of S. Afr., 1st ed., 168. 
