_Dicksònia punctilóbula. Dicksònia pilosiúscula_
[Footnote A: We again remind our readers that the Latin names in small
capitals represent the newer nomenclature.]
Fronds one to three feet high, minutely glandular and hairy,
ovate-lanceolate, pale green, very thin and mostly bipinnate. Primary
pinnæ in outline like the frond; the secondary, pinnatifid into oblong and
obtuse, cut-toothed lobes. Fruit-dots minute, each on a recurved toothlet,
usually one at the upper margin of each lobe. Indusium fixed under the
sporangia, appearing like a tiny green cup filled with spore cases.
[Illustration: Hayscented Fern. _Dennstædtia punctilobula_ (Sudbury, Mass.
G.E.D.)]
[Illustration: Forked Variety of Hayscented Fern]
[Illustration: Hayscented Fern. _Dennstædtia punctilobula_]
While _Dennstaédtia_ is the approved scientific name of this species, the
name _Dicksònia_ has come to be used almost as commonly as hay scented fern
or boulder fern. It is one of our most graceful and delicate species, its
long-tapering outline suggesting the bulblet bladder fern. It delights to
cluster around rocks and boulders in upland fields and pastures and in the
margin of rocky woods. It is sweet-scented in drying. A fine species for
the fernery and one of the most decorative of the entire fern family.
The effect of the shimmering fronds, so delicately wrought, flanked by
evergreens, is highly artistic. Fine-haired mountain fern, pasture fern,
and hairy _Dicksònia_ are other names. Canada to Tennessee and westward.
Var. _cristata_ has the fronds more or less forked at the top.
[Illustration: Pinnule and Sori]
[Illustration: Mass of Sensitive Fern]