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 color. 
Stipes — Short, clothed with pointed scales. 
Pinnae — Rounded, and occasionally crenate, alternate. 
Venation — Mid vein sinuous, lateral veins branching 
alternately and obliquely from the midvein, each lateral 
vein having two or more branches. 
Fructification — Linear, clusters of capsules on the 
anterior branch of the lateral veins, covered by scales : 
for a minute account of which see Newman , page 280. 
Habitat — Crevices of rocks and old walls, on Limestone 
soils. Near Dovedale, Lathkil Dale, &c. 
is 
