Ceterach Officinarum, Willd . 
SCALY SPLEENWORT. 
Root — Black, wiry, and branched; caudex brown, stout, 
and tufted. 
Fronds — Numerous, obiong-linear, pinnatifid, thick, and 
fleshy; the whole underside covered with scales of a rusty 
brown color. 
Stipes — Short, clothed with pointed scales. 
Pinnae — Rounded, and occasionally crenate, alternate. 
Venation — Mid vein sinuous, lateral veins branching alter¬ 
nately and obliquely from the midvein; each lateral vein 
having two or more branches. 
Fructification — Linear: clusters of capsules on the 
anterior branch of the lateral veins, covered by scales, and 
covering a narrow membrane, or imperfect involucre, which 
is fringed with chaffy scales, similar to those which clothe 
the fronds. 
HabiTxVT — Crevices of rocks and old walls, on limestone 
soils. Near Dovedale, Lathkil Dale, <kc. 
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