Ceterach Officinarum, Willd 
SCALY SPLEENWORT. 
Root — Black, wiry, and branched ; caudex brown, stout, 
and tufted. 
Fronds — Numerous, oblong-linear, pinnatifid, thick and 
fleshy ; the whole underside covered with scales of a rusty 
brown colour. 
Stipes — Short, clothed with pointed scales. 
Pinnae — Rounded, and occasionally crenate, alternate. 
Venation — Costa sinuous, lateral veins branching alter- 
nately and obliquely from the costa; each lateral vein 
having two or more branches. 
Fructification — Linear; the capsules lying in a ridge, 
formed by the raised edge of a lateral vein, which is 
fringed with chaffy scales, similar to those which clothe 
the fronds. 
Habitat — Crevices of rocks and old walls, on limestone 
soils. Near Dovedale, Lathkil Dale, &c. 
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