192 
New Zealand Ferns 
(74) L. Banksii (Sir Joseph Banks). A seaside 
plant, never found beyond the influence of salt spray. 
Recognised by the short wide leaflets in the barren fronds 
attached to the midrib by a broad base, often alternate, 
and the fertile leaflets, which are sometimes curved like 
the roof of a pagoda. 
Description . — Root short, stout, woody, erect or inclined. 
Stalks short, stout, dark-coloured, scaly at base. Fronds numer- 
ous; barren 4 to 12 inches high, rarely more, by Jin. to 1 inch 
broad, rather firm in texture, dark-green, sometimes with a sea- 
green tinge. Fertile fronds usually shorter than the barren ones. 
Seeds copious, covering the whole under surface. 
North Cape, Ahipara, Bay of Islands, Little Barrier, Manu- 
kau Heads, East Cape, Cape Egmont, Wellington Heads, Cape 
Terawhiti, Queen Charlotte Sound, Cape Farewell, West Wanga- 
nui, Banks Peninsula, Otago not uncommon both east and west 
coast, Stewart Island. 
This species grows readily under cultivation. It is 
confined to New Zealand. 
