DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SPECIES 
287 
under surface covered with sori except the mid-rib and edges. 
Very near the type, and some Table Mountain specimens of 
that species approach this very closely. Christensen main- 
tains as distinct and from tropical America only the A. 
laiifolium (Sw.) J. Sm. with which we, connected this in 
our first edition. 
Natal. — On rocks, usually in deep shade; confined to a limited line 
of country, stretching from Kranzkloof through inner Inanda and 
Noodsberg to Umpumulo, 1500 to 2500 feet (Buchanan); hanging 
from rocks in crowded masses in midland districts (Wood). 
Rhodesia. — Mount Pene, 7000 ft (Swyn. 6009). 
168. Elaphoglossum petiolatum (Sw.) Urban. 
Plate 149. Fig. 2. Nat. size, small. 
Plate 150. Fig. 2. Var. rupestre. 
Rhizome slender, woody, creeping, clothed in large, ovate, 
pointed, nearly black scales. Barren fronds lanceolate, acu- 
minate, widest at the middle, and tapering slowly to a long 
acute point and to the stipe ; herbaceous or thinly sub-coria- 
ceous in texture, dark green, and when young bearing scattered, 
ovate, membranaceous, deciduous scales, on the under surface 
and stipe. Barren frond six to fifteen inches long, half to 
one and a half inches broad, with a firm stipe two to nine 
inches long, and when old nearly naked. Fertile fronds 
equalling the barren in height, but with shorter and narrower 
laminae, and longer stipe; under surface occupied throughout 
with sori. 
This was formerly confused with E. conforme , which see. 
E. petiolatum (Sw.). Urban, Symb. Ant. 4, 61 (1903); C. Chr. Ind. 
313 - 
Acrostichum petiolatum. Sw. Prod. 128 (1788). 
A. viscosum Sw. Hk. Sp. 5, 220; Hk. and Bkr, Syn. Fil. 406; 
McKen’s Natal Ferns, 109; Sim, Ferns of S. Afr. 1st ed. 221. 
A. conforme. Schl. Adum. 14; Kunze, Linnaea , 10, 495 (with a form 
angustum from same root); Buchanan’s List, No. 117. 
Olfersia conformis. Pappe and Rawson, 44. 
Widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics. 
West. — Devil’s Mountain and Table Mountain (Bergius) ; Dutoits- 
kloof, Genadendal (Kunze); Caledon, Swellendam (P. and R.). 
