Athyrium Filix-Fcemina, Roth , 
LADY FERN. 
Root — Radicles strong and wiry, caudex large and tnfted. 
Fronds Numerous, from one to five feet in length, 
broadly lanceolate, tapering at the apex, sub-erect, rigid, 
bipinnate; the three lower pairs of pinnae droop, the lower¬ 
most pair forming acute angles with the rachis. 
Stipes — About one-fifth the length of the frond, often of 
a reddish purple colour, and clothed with a few dark, 
pointed, membraneous scales at the base. 
Rachis — Smooth. 
Pinnae — Alternate, lanceolate, pinnate; the pair of pin¬ 
nules nearest the main rachis being generally longer than the 
next two pan ; apex long and acute. 
Pinnules — Distant, narrow, linear, pinnatifid; the lowest 
lobe in each pinnule on the side furthest from the main 
rachis is proportionately longer than the others; each lobe 
dentate. 
Venation — Lateral veins alternate, and forked, each 
branch of the fork ending in the point of a lobe, the lower 
lobe furthest from the main rachis having a fork of five 
branches. 
Fructification --Kidney shaped; clusters of capsules on 
the forks of the pinnules. 
Habitat — Moist shady places, bushy bogs and hedges. 
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