11 
BLECHNUM SPICANT. 
Hard Fern. 
] 
1 A curious plant, producing two distinct fronds, a 
) fertile and a barren one, it is common on Whitcliffe, 
and in the neighbouring woods. A free growing plant, 
: and easy of cultivation. 
i 
PTERIS AQUILINA. 
Common Brake . 
Abundant everywhere, in many places it grows higher 
than a Man’s head, very tall in the Hay Park. Not 
suitable for rock-work. 
CYSTOPTERIS FRAGILIS. 
Brittle Bladder Fern. 
1 
A very pretty small Fern, occuring in few places in 
1 this district, the most abundant locality is in the 
1 beautiful Downton Castle grounds, where also the 
varieties Dentata and Augustata grow ; it also is to be 
found on Whitcliffe amongst the cliffs facing the river, 
i and rarely in Maryknoll woods. A manageable plant 
under cultivation, and growing readily in pots or on 
rock-work. 
OSMUNDA REGALIS. 
Royal Fern. 
- 
This is a most magnificent species, often growing eight 
or ten feet high, the only locality where it has been 
found near Ludlow, is on the Clee Hills; it grows 
abundantly near Shawbury in Shropshire. In cultiva¬ 
tion it should occupy the dampest parts of the rock-work. 
