302 
New Zealand Ferns 
XXI. NEPHROLEPIS 
NEPHROLEPIS (nephros, kidney; lepis, scale). 
A genus of only 7 or 8 species, with 2 in New Zealand. 
Fronds long and narrow; seeds roundish, protected by 
a kidney-shaped covering. 
N. CORDIFOLI A 
(120) N. cordifolia (heart-leaved). There is no con- 
fusing this with any other New Zealand species; the 
long narrow frond with a close-set row of small leaflets 
on either side of the midrib is quite distinct. Found only 
in the thermal district. 
Description . — Root short, semi-erect or oblique, producing 
numerous suckers, which root here and there, and produce new 
plants, sometimes bearing small scaly tubers. Stalks short, 1 to 
4 inches long, red-brown, glossy, more or less clothed with scales. 
Fronds numerous, tufted, 1 to 3 feet long by 1^ to 2 inches broad, 
pale-green, membranous. Midrib usually shaggy with scales. 
Seeds in two rows on the leaflets, rather nearer the margin than 
the midrib. 
North Island : Thermal springs district in localities heated by 
hot water, Otumakokori Stream near Waiotapu, Wairakei, Kara- 
piti, and other localities at Taupo. 
A species easily grown in the fernery, and a favourite 
pot plant. An abundant tropical fern, extending north- 
wards to Japan and southwards to New Zealand. 
According to Mr. Thomson the roots bear egg-shaped 
tubers in tropical America and India, which constitute 
an article of food. 
