206 
New Zealand Ferns 
(79) L. nigra (black). A small species, readily recog- 
nised by the blackish-green colour and the broadening 
out of the terminal part of the fronds. It is a scarce 
fern. 
Description . — Root short, stout, semi-erect. Stalks densely 
clothed with chaffy scales, 1 to 3 inches long. Barren fronds in 
spreading tufts, 3 to 8 inches long by 1 to \\ inches broad, mem- 
branous, blackish-green or lurid-green. Leaflets, 4 to 8 pairs, un- 
equal in size, the terminal one much the largest, the lowest pair 
larger than those immediately above. Fertile fronds few, erect. 
North Island and East Coast of South Island, scarce. 1,000 
feet to 3,000 feet. Abundant in Westland, where it descends to 
the sea. 
Almost a mountain species in the North Island, where 
it frequents dark, gloomy forest gullies. As it is difficult 
to reproduce its natural haunts it is not easily cultivated. 
Confined to New Zealand. 
