7 ’ 
POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM. Eoth. 
( Common P richly Shield Fern.) 
Derivation of Name. From polus^ many, and stichos, order, 
in allusion to the numerous regidar lines in which the 
sori are disposed. 
SYNOXYMES. 
PoLYPODimi AcuLEATmi. Linncem. 
Polypodium Colatum. Hudson. 
Aspidium Acpxeatum. Swartz. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Caudex tufted, very large, with long strong rootlets. 
Frond with very short stalks, densely covered with scales 
at the bottom ; linear-lanceolate, twice pinnate, pinnules 
more or less decurrent, lobed at the base, with the one 
next the stalk on the upper side of the pinnae much larger, 
sometimes almost pinnate, all prickly serrate. They 
spring about March or April and are evergreen — one j^ear’s 
fronds remaining until the next are fully developed, and 
not unfrequently two or three years’ fronds may be found 
on the same plant. 
Veins veiy much branched. 
Spore Cases with a circidar covering are arranged in two 
lines parallel with the midvein of the pinnules, and often 
