134 
New Zealand Ferns 
( 51 ) A. formosum (beautiful). The largest of the 
New Zealand maidenhairs, apparently confined to two 
districts — the Northern Wairoa and the Manawatu and 
its tributaries. A handsome, branching fern, with small 
leaflets. 
Description . — Root long, stout, creeping, scaly. Stalk 1 to 3 
feet high, purplish-black or quite black, shining, sometimes hairy 
towards the base, rough throughout. Fronds 1-^ to 3 feet long 
by 12 to 20 inches broad, dark-green, texture firm, under surface 
smooth, or bearing scattered hairs. Midrib sinuous, black and 
glossy. Seeds numerous, placed in shallow depressions at the top 
of the leaflets. 
Alluvial banks of Northern Wairoa. Manawatu River and its 
tributaries from Woodville to below Palmerston North. 
A very handsome species, sometimes attaining a 
height of 5 feet, with more than 20 branches and 1,000 
leaflets. Mr. Field, who calls it “The Plumed Maiden- 
hair/’ also states that it is easily grown in light sandy 
loam, but it is difficult to transplant on account of the 
deep roots. Found also in Eastern Australia. 
