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New Zealand Ferns 
( 113 ) N. decom positum ( decompound ) . A soft, pale- 
green fern, usually growing in alluvial soil near river 
banks. Perhaps the distinguishing feature, which it 
shares in common with the other species of the genus, 
is the larger size of the lowest pair of leaflets near the 
stalk. 
Description . — Root long and slender, creeping, branched, 
more or less clothed with chaffy scales. Stalks 6 to 18 inches 
long, firm, erect, scaly towards the base, hairy above. Fronds 
scattered along the root, not tufted, though they sometimes grow 
in crowded groups, 9 to 18 inches long, without the stalks, often 
almost as broad, texture inclined to be firm, pale-green, more or 
less covered with fine hairs; midrib the same colour as the frond. 
Seeds rather large, distant, about half-way between the margin 
and the midrib. 
From the North Cape to Foveaux Strait, not uncommon. Sea- 
level to 1,200 feet. 
A pretty, soft-green fern, varying considerably in 
size. Upon the Island of Waiheke, in poor soil, I have 
found them under shady trees with fronds that did not 
rise 6 inches above the sward; while, in the Waitakere 
district, on alluvial soil and almost in the open, the 
sturdy fronds stood up 3 feet from the ground. It is an 
easy species to grow. Some which I brought from Wai- 
heke have quickly responded to the richer soil by putting 
forth larger and stronger fronds. An abundant Aus- 
tralian plant, ranging from North Queensland to Tas- 
mania and Norfolk Island. 
