168 
New Zealand Ferns 
(63) P.tremula (trembling). “Turawera.” A hand- 
some graceful fern, of a pure pale green, a favourite for 
pot culture ; it prefers dry soil and a moderately sunny 
aspect. Very free in its growth, sowing itself on all 
sides. 
Description . — Root short, stout, putting up tufts of numerous 
erect fronds. Stalks 1 to 2 feet high, stout, erect, smooth and 
polished, bright chestnut-brown. Fronds 1 to 3 feet long by 6 
inches to 2 feet broad, bright-green, soft, membranous. Seeds 
copious, usually continuous in a narrow line along the margins of 
the leaflets. 
Kermadec Islands and North Island, abundant. South Island, 
in various localities in Nelson and Marlborough; also recorded 
from Banks Peninsula. Sea-level to 2,500 feet. 
This fern, called “The Shaking Brake” by Miss Pules, 
comes up all over my garden. It grows rapidly in a shel- 
tered spot where it gets plenty of sunlight, soon attain- 
ing a height of 4 or 5 feet. The young fronds come up 
like a green shepherd’s crook, bending over backwards 
as the leaves unroll. Perhaps the name “tremula” was 
given from its habit of growing in somewhat open bush, 
where its leaves are constantly agitated by the freely 
circulating air. It is very variable in the size and shape 
of the leaflets. Injured by frost, especially the older 
fronds. Eaten voraciously by the caterpillar Agrotis 
compta. See page 203. Found also in Australia, Tas- 
mania, Norfolk Island, and Fiji. 
