346 
New Zealand Ferns 
(142) G.Cumiinghamii (Mr. Cunningham). “Tapu- 
wae-kotuku,” "Umbrella Fern.” Not unlike the two pre- 
ceding species in manner of growth, but the leaves are 
much wider, closer, and more umbrageous; dark-green, 
spreading out from a centre not unlike a star-fish. 
Description . — Usually from 1 to 3 feet high, but taller plants 
are sometimes seen. Root long, branched, creeping, stout and 
woody, clothed with red-brown scales. Stalks stout, erect, grooved 
down one side, densely clothed with scales when young, smooth 
when old. Fronds several times divided in pairs, spreading in 
a horizontal plane and forming an umbrella-like top ; in large 
specimens sprouting from the centre, so that there are two to 
four tiers of superimposed branches, dark-green and smooth 
above, sea-green and hairy below. Seeds copious. 
From North Cape to Cook Strait, abundant. South Island, 
local. Sea-level to 4,000 feet. 
A very handsome and distinct species. Often, when 
growing near the edge of the bush, it has an odd habit 
of slanting rakishly to one side. It is very plentiful be- 
tween Tokaanu and Waimarino, especially near Otukou 
Pa. A most difficult fern to cultivate, which is a pity, 
for it has a most attractive appearance. The descrip- 
tion Mr. Field gives of his failures is almost pathetic. 
My attempts have been equally unsuccessful. There was 
never — not for one single moment — any doubt about its 
dying; within a few hours of being planted the leaves 
shrivelled; in three days they were quite black. Found 
only in New Zealand. 
