204 
New Zealand Ferns 
( 78 ) L. fill for mis (thread-like — in allusion to the 
fertile fronds). An inveterate climber, usually seeding 
at some height above the ground, sometimes almost out 
of sight up lofty trees, most readily distinguished by the 
graceful fertile fronds. 
Description . — Root long, stout, branched, climbing up trees 
to a great height, clothed with rough scales. Barren fronds very 
numerous, scattered along the root, those on the ground or the 
lower part of the creeping root, small, 3 to 6 inches long by Jrin. 
to 1 inch broad, sharply and deeply toothed, and those up the 
trees much larger, 12 to 30 inches long by 3 to 6 inches broad, 
pendulous, inclined to be stiff, green to dark-green. Fertile fronds 
from the upper part of the root. Leaflets numerous, 3 to 6 inches 
long by ^in. broad, very narrow, almost thread-like. Seeds copi- 
ous, covering the whole under side. 
Abundant throughout the Dominion. Sea-level to 2,000 feet. 
A species very remarkable for having two forms of 
barren fronds; the smaller, with sharp-toothed leaves 
4in. by fin., often covering the ground for a consider- 
able area, is not accompanied by fertile fronds; it grows 
over everything — earth, stones, fallen logs, roots. On 
reaching a tree trunk it at once begins to mount, when a 
curious change takes place; the creeping root thickens, 
the leaves, assuming their second form, grow six times 
as large, attaining a size of 30m. by 6in., festooning 
lofty tree trunks with innumerable drooping fronds, 
and eventually putting forth those bearing seeds, which, 
seen high overhead against the sky, have the thread-like 
appearance that suggested the name. 
If care be taken in selecting a terrestrial portion of 
the root it is easily cultivated. Specimens have been in- 
troduced into my fernery on the roots of other plants, 
and have become well established; in one instance it 
sowed itself spontaneously. Found also in the Fiji Is- 
lands. 
