LASTREA. 
115 
Lastrea dilatata, Presl. 
Broad Prickly-toothed Buckler Fern. (Plate IX. fig. 2.) 
This is one of the most compound and handsome as well 
as common of our native Ferns. It forms a large tufted stock 
or stem, and has broad arched fronds, which average about a 
couple of feet in height, though it is sometimes met with 
smaller, and often, when luxuriant, reaches a height of 
five feet. They are almost always more or less drooping 
or curved, and seldom grow erect, as those of cristata, 
uliginosa, and spinulosa do. The general outline is ovate- 
lanceolate, though in this, one of the most variable of 
Ferns, the form varies considerably, becoming sometimes 
narrow elongate lanceolate on the one hand, and short 
broad almost triangular on the other. The following 
description applies to the more usual, or what is considered 
the typical form. 
The fronds are ovate, lance-shaped in outline, on a 
stipes of moderate length, which stipes is much thickened 
at the base, and densely clothed with entire, lance-shaped, 
pointed scales, of a very dark brown colour in the centre, 
but nearly transparent at the margins. They are bipin- 
nate, with elongate-triangular or tapering pinnae, placed 
i 2 
