P olypodium Phegopteris, Linn. 
Gymnocarpium Phegopteris, Newman. 
BEECH FERN. 
Root — Radicles black and fibrous ; rhizome creeping, 
tortuous, slender. 
Frond — Triangular, broad at the base, acute at the apex, 
bipinnatifid ; the lower pinnae drooping or projecting, in- 
wards; pendulous, of a pale green or olive colour, from six 
inches to two feet long. 
Stipes — From one-half to two-thirds the length of the 
frond, slightly covered with thin membranous scales. 
Pinnae — O pposite, or nearly so, sessile, pinnatifid, linear- 
lanceolate, apices, acute : the lowermost pair of pinnae ovato- 
lanceolate, and at a more acute angle with the rachis. 
Pinnules — Ovate-oblong, obtuse, the posterior pinnules 
in the lowermost pinnae serrated, the margins variously 
clothed with minute spear-like hairs. 
Yenation — Costae somewhat sinuous, lateral veins simple 
and branched, extending to the margin. 
Fructification — Clusters of capsules circular, almost 
marginal when in perfection, as in Lastrea Oreopteris. 
Habitat — Moist woods, and near waterfalls ; most luxu- 
riant in shaded places within reach of the spray : when 
found in high latitudes, and on mountain sides, it becomes 
more downy, and dwarfed. 
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