290 
New Zealand Ferns 
( 114 ) N.glabellum (smooth). Very similar in gen- 
eral appearance to N. decomposition, but the fronds are 
a darker green, more finely cut, somewhat smaller, and 
almost free from hairs. A closer inspection also reveals 
the fact that the root is short and tufted — not creeping. 
Description . — Roots short, stout. Stalks 4 to 10 inches long, 
slender, firm, usually reddish-brown, scaly at base, smooth or 
nearly so above. Fronds tufted, 6 to 14 inches long or more, 
without the stalks, by 4 to 10 inches broad, membranous but firm, 
dark-green, glossy; the lowest pair of leaflets the largest; midrib 
reddish-brown. Seeds distant, about half-way between the mar- 
gin and the midrib. 
In dry woods from North Cape to Foveaux Strait, not un- 
common. 
This beautiful fern, with its tufts of glossy fronds, 
was for some time classed as a variety of N. decomposi- 
tion; its recognition as a valid species is chiefly due to 
the entirely different rooting of the two plants. It is one 
of the easiest ferns to cultivate. Occurring in Australia 
and several of the Polynesian Islands. 
