densely scaly below. _fronds_ 18in. to 24in. long, 1ft. or more
broad, sub-deltoid; lower pinnæ much the largest, long stalked;
pinnules lanceolate; segments very unequal sided, pinnatifid,
with rounded mucronate lobes, obliquely truncate at the base
below. _sori_ large, copious. Madeira. Greenhouse species. SYN.
_Polystichum frondosum_.
=A. Hookeri= (Hooker's). _sti._ 1ft. or more long, naked. _fronds_
2ft. to 3ft. long; pinnæ 6in. to 8in. long, 1in. broad, cut down
to a broadly-winged rachis into nearly close, spreading, entire,
linear-oblong lobes 1/8in. broad. _sori_ nearer the edge than the
midrib. Malay Archipelago. Stove species. SYNS. _A. nephrodioides_
and _Cyclodium Hookeri_.
=A. laserpitiifolium= (Laserpitium-leaved).* _sti._ 4in. to 6in.
long, stramineous, scaly at base. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long,
6in. to 9in. broad, ovate-deltoid, tripinnate; lower pinnæ the
largest, with pinnules on the lower side prolonged, lanceolate,
imbricated with small, distinct, bluntly-lobed segments. _sori_
in two rows, very copious. Japan. A very desirable greenhouse
species. SYNS. _Lastrea Standishii_ (of gardens) and _Polystichum
laserpitiifolium_.
=A. lepidocaulon= (scaly-stemmed). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to 9in.
long, densely clothed with large cordate scales. _fronds_ 1ft. or
more long, 4in. to 6in. broad, sometimes elongated and rooting
at the point: pinnæ 2in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad,
lanceolate-falcate, the two sides unequal, the upper one auricled
at the base. _sori_ principally in two rows, near the midrib.
Japan. Greenhouse species. SYN. _Polystichum lepidocaulon_.
=A. Lonchitis= (spar-like).* The Holly Fern. _sti._ densely tufted,
1in. to 4in. long, scaly at base. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1in.
to 3in. broad, pinnate throughout; pinnæ 1/2in. to 1-1/2in. long,
1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, ovate-rhomboidal, sub-falcate, the two
sides unequal, point mucronate, edge spinuloso-serrated, the upper
side sharply auricled at the base, the lower obliquely truncate.
Britain, &c. A very widely-spread hardy species. SYN. _Polystichum
Lonchitis_.
=A. meniscioides= (Meniscium-like). _sti._ 1ft. to 2ft. long, scaly
below. _fronds_ 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. or more broad, pinnate;
barren pinnæ sessile, 6in. to 9in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad,
oblong-acuminate, nearly entire; fertile pinnæ much smaller. _sori_
in two close rows between the primary veins. West Indies, &c. Stove
species. SYNS. _A. confertum_ and _Cyclodium meniscioides_.
=A. mohrioides= (Mohria-like). _sti._ tufted, 2in. to 6in. long,
more or less densely scaly. _fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to
3in. broad, bipinnate; pinnæ numerous, frequently imbricated,
lanceolate, cut down below into slightly toothed, oblong-rhomboidal
pinnules. _sori_ copious. Patagonia and the Cordilleras of Chili.
Greenhouse species. SYN. _Polystichum mohrioides_.
=A. mucronatum= (mucronated).* _sti._ tufted, 2in. to 4in.
long, densely scaly. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 1-1/2in.
to 2in. broad, pinnate throughout; pinnæ very numerous, often
imbricated, 3/4in. to 1in. long, 1/4in. to broad, sub-rhomboidal,
unequal-sided, mucronate, sub-entire, distinctly auricled at the
upper base. _sori_ in a long row on each side the midrib. West
Indies. Stove or greenhouse species. SYN. _Polystichum mucronatum_.
=A. munitum= (armed).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 9in. long, densely
scaly. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 8in. broad; pinnæ close,
2in. to 4in. long, about 1/2in. broad, acuminate, finely spinulose
and serrated throughout, the upper side auricled, and the lower
obliquely truncate at the base. _sori_ in two rows near the edge.
California, &c. Hardy; very fine. SYN. _Polystichum munitum_.
=A. nephrodioides= (Nephrodium-like). Synonymous with _A. Hookeri_.
=A. ocellatum= (spotted). Synonymous with _A. auriculatum_.
=A. pungens= (stinging). _rhiz._ stout. _sti._ scattered, 1ft.
long, scaly below only. _fronds_ 2ft. to 3ft. long, 9in. to 12in.
broad; lower pinnæ 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; pinnules
ovate-rhomboidal, unequal-sided, often deeply pinnatifid. _sori_
principally in two rows near the midrib. Cape Colony. Greenhouse
species. SYN. _Polystichum pungens_.
=A. repandum= (wavy-leaved). _sti._ 1ft. to 2ft. long, naked.
_fronds_ 2ft. or more long, 12in. to 18in. broad, apex deeply
pinnatifid, with linear-oblong, slightly sinuated lobes; lower
pinnæ four to eight on each side, 6in. to 8in. long, 1-1/4in.
to 1-1/2in. broad, acuminate; edge bluntly sinuated, the lowest
stalked and forked. _sori_ in two distinct rows near the main vein.
Philippines. Stove species.
=A. rhizophyllum= (frond-rooting). _sti._ tufted, 1in. to 2in.
long, slender. _fronds_ 2in. to 6in. long, 3/4in. broad, with the
long, narrow upper half of the frond lengthened out and rooting,
the lower half cut down to a flattened fibrillose rachis into
oblong-rhomboidal sub-entire lobes about 1/2in. broad, 1/4in. deep.
_sori_ scattered. Jamaica, 1820. Stove or cool house species. SYN.
_Polystichum rhizophyllum_.
=A. semicordatum= (half-cordate). _sti._ scattered, 6in. to 12in.
long. _fronds_ 2ft. to 3ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad, simply
pinnate; pinnæ spreading, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in.
broad, nearly entire, acuminate, cordate or truncate at the base.
_sori_ in one to three rows on each side, the inner one close to
the midrib. Tropical America, &c. SYN. _Polystichum semicordatum_.
=A. trapezioides= (Trapezium-like). Synonymous with _A. viviparum_.
=A. triangulum= (triangular).* _sti._ tufted, 2in. to 6in. long,
base scaly. _fronds_ 1ft. or more long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad;
pinnæ numerous, sessile, lower ones distant, central ones 3/4in. to
1in. long, about 5/8in. broad, sub-deltoid, lower side obliquely
truncate; apex mucronate, edge sub-entire or slightly lobed, with
blunt or spinose teeth, one or both sides auricled at the base.
_sori_ principally in two rows near the edge. West Indies. Stove or
greenhouse species. SYN. _Polystichum triangulum_.
=A. trifoliatum= (three-leaved). _sti._ tufted, 1ft. or more long,
base only scaly. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 12in.
broad, with a large ovate-acuminate terminal pinna, narrowed or
forked at the base, and one or two lateral ones on each side, the
lowest mostly forked. _sori_ in rows near the main veins. Tropical
America. Stove species.
=A. t. heracleifolium= (Heracleum-leaved). A form with pinnæ
pinnatifid on both sides at the base.
=A. tripteron= (three-winged). _sti._ 6in. to 9in. long, densely
scaly at base. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, with a large terminal
and two small spreading lateral pinnæ at the base of it, the former
2-1/2 in. to 3in. broad, with very numerous spreading pinnules on
each side, 1-1/2in. long, about 1/2in. broad, unequal sided, acute,
deeply inciso-pinnatifid, the lower lobes again toothed; lateral
pinnæ 3in. to 5in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad. _sori_ principally
in two rows midway between midrib and edge. Japan. Greenhouse
species. SYN. _Polystichum tripteron_.
=A. varium= (variable).* _rhiz._ sub-creeping. _sti._ 6in. to 12in.
long, densely fibrillose below. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 9in.
to 12in. broad, lanceolate-deltoid; lower pinnæ much the largest,
sub-deltoid, unequal sided, 4in. to 6in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad;
pinnules lanceolate, imbricated, with oblong, blunt, slightly
toothed segments. _sori_ principally in two rows near the midrib.
Japan. Greenhouse species. SYNS. _Lastrea varia_ and _Polystichum
varium_. It is frequently met with in gardens under the former
name.
=A. viviparum= (bud-producing). _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 6in. long,
scaly at the base. _fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 6in.
broad; pinnæ numerous, nearly lanceolate, the central ones 2in. to
3in. long, about 1/2in. broad, mucronate, sometimes bud-bearing,
the edge more or less deeply lobed, in the lower part sometimes
quite down to the rachis, the upper side auricled. _sori_ in two
or four rows. West Indies. Stove or greenhouse species. SYNS. _A.
trapezioides_ and _Polystichum viviparum_.
=ASPLENIUM= (from _a_, not, and _splen_, spleen; referring to the
medicinal properties formerly attributed to the genus). Spleenwort.
ORD. _Filices_. Including _Anisogonium_, _Athyrium_, _Ceterach_,
_Cænopteris_, _Darea_, _Diplazium_, _Hemidictyum_, _Neottopteris_. A
very large and widely-spread genus, including species suitable for the
stove, temperate, and hardy ferneries. Sori dorsal or submarginal,
linear or oblong. Involucre similar in shape, straight or occasionally
curved, single or double, plane or tumid, bursting along the outer
edge. The tropical species should be grown in a compost of peat, loam,
and sand; the hardy sorts in a mixture of fibrous peat and sand. Good
drainage is at all times required. For general culture, _see_ =Ferns=.
[Illustration: FIG. 163. ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM, showing Rootstock
and back of Fertile Fronds.]
=A. abscissum= (clipped). _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 8in. long.
_fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad, sometimes
proliferous at the apex, with twelve to twenty horizontal pinnæ on
each side, which are 1-1/2in. to 2in. long, about 1/2in. broad,
bluntish; edge inciso-crenate, the upper one narrowed suddenly
at the base, the lower one obliquely truncate. _sori_ short, in
two regular rows, falling short of both midrib and edge. Tropical
America. Stove species. SYN. _A. firmum_.
=A. acuminatum= (taper-pointed).* _sti._ 6in. to 9in. long.
_fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 9in. to 12in. broad, with very numerous
close-placed lanceolate-oblong pinnæ on both sides, which are
4in. to 6in. long, 1-1/2in. to 2in. broad; pinnules numerous,
unequal-sided, lanceolate, acuminate; edges sharply toothed,
the lower base obliquely truncate. _sori_ in two rows in the
upper part, of the pinnules, often diplazioid. Sandwich Islands.
Greenhouse species. SYN. _A. polyphyllum_.
=A. Adiantum-nigrum= (Black Spleenwort). _sti._ tufted, 6in.
to 9in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to 12in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad
sub-deltoid; lower pinnæ deltoid, 2in. to 3in. long, 1-1/2in. to
2in. broad; all the pinnæ pinnate. _sori_ copious, at last often
occupying the whole under surface of the segments. Great Britain.
World-wide in its distribution. Hardy. _A. solidum_, from Cape
Colony, is supposed to be a mere form of this species. There are
several varieties the best of which are described below. See Fig.
168.
=A. A.-n. acutum= (acute). _fronds_ 9in. to 15in. long, deltoid,
tripinnate; ultimate segments linear, and very acute. Ireland. A
copiously divided and very elegant variety. Habit more graceful
than the type.
[Illustration: FIG. 169. ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM GRANDICEPS.]
=A. A.-n. grandiceps= (large-crested). _fronds_ 6in. to 12in.
long; pinnæ comparatively short, and slightly crested; apex freely
divided, and expanded into a broad crest, which gives the frond a
very graceful contour. Frame or greenhouse variety. See Fig. 169.
=A. A-n. oxyphyllum= (sharp-leaved). _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. long,
ovate-lanceolate; ultimate segments narrow and very acute. A very
pretty little variety.
=A. affine= (related). _sti._ 6in. to 12in. long. _fronds_ 12in
to 18in. long, 6in. to 12in. broad, bipinnate, with numerous
pinnæ on each side, the lower ones lanceolate-rhomboidal;
pinnules rhomboidal, inciso-serrate. _sori_ copious, linear.
Mascaren Islands, &c. Stove or warm greenhouse species. SYN. _A.
spathulinum_.
=A. alatum= (winged).* _sti._ 4in. to 6in, long, slender, the upper
part and the rachis, winged. _fronds_ 1ft. to 1-1/2ft. long, 3in.
to 4in. broad, with twelve to twenty horizontal sessile pinnæ on
each side, which are 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, and about 1/2in. broad,
bluntish; edge uniformly inciso-crenate, the base nearly equal on
both sides. _sori_ distant, not reaching either the midrib or edge.
West Indies, &c. A very elegant stove species.
=A. alismæfolium= (Alisma-leaved). _sti._ 2in. to 6in. long.
_fronds_ varying in shape, from simple oblong-lanceolate, 6in.
to 9in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; apex acuminate; edges entire,
to ternate or pinnate, with a large terminal and three pairs of
lateral pinnæ, each like the entire frond of the simple state;
texture coriaceous. Isle of Luzon. Stove species. SYN. _Anisogonium
alismæfolium_.
=A. alternans= (alternated). _sti._ tufted, 1in. to 2in.
long. _fronds_ 6in. to 8in. long, 1in. to 1-1/2in. broad,
lanceolate-oblong, cut down into numerous bluntly-rounded lobes on
each side, which reach very nearly down to the rachis, the lower
gradually reduced. _sori_ copious. N. W. Himalayas. Greenhouse
species. SYN. _A. Dalhousiæ_.
=A. alternifolium= (alternate-leaved). Synonymous with _A.
germanicum_.
=A. angustifolium= (narrow-leaved).* _sti._ tufted, about 1ft.
long. _fronds_ 18in. to 24in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, simply
pinnate, lanceolate-oblong, flaccid, with twenty to thirty
sub-sessile pinnæ on each side, sterile ones largest, 2in. to 3in.
long, 1/2in. broad, acuminate; edge obscurely-crenate, base rounded
and equal on both sides; fertile pinnæ narrower and more distant.
_sori_ very close and regular, extending from the midrib nearly to
the edge. Canada, &c. Greenhouse species.
=A. anisophyllum= (unequal-leaved). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to
12in. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad,
oblong-lanceolate, simple pinnate, with ten to sixteen sub-sessile
pinnæ on each side which are 3in. to 5in. long, about 1in. broad,
acuminated, crenate, the two sides unequal, the upper one narrowed
suddenly, the lower one obliquely truncate at the base. _sori_
distant, elliptical, reaching half-way from the edge to the margin.
Cape Colony, &c. Greenhouse species.
=A. apicidens= (apex-toothed). A variety of _A. Vieillardii_.
=A. arborescens= (tree-like). _cau._ oblique. _sti._ 1ft. to 2ft.
long. _fronds_ 3ft. to 4ft. long, 2ft. to 3ft. broad, deltoid,
tripinnatifid, with numerous pinnæ, the lower ones 12in. to 18in.
long, 4in. to 6in. broad; pinnules 3in. long, about 1/2in. wide,
acuminate, edge cut two-thirds of the way down to the rachis into
nearly entire lobes, 1/4in. deep, 1/8in. broad. Lower _sori_
1/8in. long. Mauritius, &c., 1826. Stove species. SYN. _Diplazium
arborescens_.
=A. Arnottii= (Arnott's). _sti._ smooth, angular. _fronds_ ample,
tripinnatifid; lower pinnæ 9in. to 12in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad;
pinnules 3in. to 4in. long, 1in. or more broad, cut down below to a
distinctly winged rachis into deeply crenate, blunt, oblong lobes,
1/2in. deep, 1/4in. broad. _sori_ copious, nearly all diplazioid,
and filling up when mature nearly the whole surface of the lobes.
Sandwich Islands, 1877. Greenhouse species. SYNS. _A. diplazioides_
and _Diplazium Arnottii_.
=A. aspidioides= (Aspidium-like). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to
12in. long. _fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad,
ovate-deltoid, tripinnatifid; lower pinnæ 6in. to 8in. long,
lanceolate-deltoid; pinnules lanceolate, cut down below nearly to
the rachis into inciso-pinnatifid ovate segments, two lines broad.
_sori_ copious, oblong, the lower ones curved. Tropical America,
&c. Greenhouse species. SYN. _A. multisectum_.
=A. attenuatum= (attenuated). _sti._ tufted, 3in. to 4in. long.
_fronds_ simple, linear-lanceolate, about 1ft. long, about 1/2in.
broad, narrowed upwards very gradually, sometimes proliferous at
the point, the margin toothed; the lower third also lobed; the
lowest roundish, lobes reaching down nearly or quite to the rachis.
_sori_ reaching nearly to the edge. Queensland, &c. Greenhouse
species.
=A. aureum= (golden). A variety of _A. Ceterach_.
=A. auriculatum= (auriculated).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 8in. long.
_fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, simply pinnate,
lanceolate-oblong, with ten to twenty-stalked horizontal pinnæ
on each side, which are 2in. to 4in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad,
lanceolate, often sub-falcate; edge deeply crenate, the two sides
unequal, the upper one with a cordate auricle, the lower one
obliquely truncate. _sori_ distant, not reaching either the midrib
or edge. Tropical America, 1820. Stove species.
=A. auritum= (eared). _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 8in. long. _fronds_
6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, simply pinnate, with ten to
fifteen stalked horizontal pinnæ on each side, which are 2in. to
3in. long, and about 1/2in. broad, acute or bluntish; edge sharply
toothed or often lobed, especially on the upper side towards the
base. _sori_ in two broad rather oblique rows. Tropical America.
Stove species.
=A. australasicum= (Australian). A variety of _A. Nidus_.
=A. Baptistii= (Baptist's).* _sti._ 6in. to 8in. long. _fronds_
1ft. long, bipinnate, broadly ovate; pinnæ stipitate, the lower
about 5in. long, with four narrow stipitate linear-toothed
pinnules, 2in. long, and a terminal lobe, 3-1/2in. long, 1/4in.
broad, furnished with distinct linear marginal teeth, pointing
forwards, and terminating in a long attenuated point, which is
toothed nearly to the end. _sori_ linear-oblong, straight, parallel
with, and close to, the midrib. South Sea Islands, 1879. A very
handsome stove species.
=A. Belangeri= (Belanger's).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 8in. long.
_fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, bipinnate; pinnæ
numerous, 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, 1/2in. broad, rounded at the
point, truncate at the base on the lower side; pinnules linear,
erecto-patent, half line broad; one vein and sorus to each segment,
the latter marginal. Malayan Peninsula. Stove species. SYNS. _A.
Veitchianum_, _Darea_, _Belangeri_, &c.
=A. bipartitum= (twice-partite). _sti._ tufted, 3in. to 6in. long.
_fronds_ 6in. to 8in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, bipinnate, with
about ten to fifteen stalked pinnæ on each side, which are 1in. to
1-1/2in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, bluntish, cut down at the
base on the upper side into one distinctly-stalked cuneate pinnule,
sometimes into two or three, the outer edge inciso-crenate, the
base on the lower side obliquely truncate. _sori_ in two regular
rows, reaching nearly to the edge. Mascaren Isles. Stove species.
=A. bisectum= (bisected).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 6in. long.
_fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, bipinnatifid,
with twenty to thirty horizontal pinnæ on each side, which are
2in. to 3in. long, 1/4in. broad, with a very long, narrow, deeply
inciso-pinnatifid upper portion, the base on the upper side
narrowed suddenly, on the lower obliquely truncate. _sori_ almost
all in two parallel rows close to the midrib. West Indies, &c.
Stove species.
=A. brachypteron= (broadly-winged). _sti._ tufted, 2in. to
4in. long. _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1-1/2in. broad,
bipinnate, with twelve to twenty-four horizontal pinnæ on each
side, of which from half to nearly the whole of the lower side
is cut away, the largest 1/2in. to 5/8in. long, cut down to the
rachis into simple or forked linear pinnules, 1in. to 1-1/2in.
long. _sori_ solitary, often quite marginal. Madagascar, &c. Stove
species. SYN. _Darea brachypteron_.
=A. brevisorum= (shortly-soriate). _sti._ 12in. to 18in. long.
_fronds_ 2ft. to 3ft. long, 9in. to 18in. broad, tripinnate; lower
pinnæ 1ft. or more long; pinnules lanceolate, distant, 2in. to
3in. long, and 1-1/2in. broad; segments lanceolate, 3/4in. long,
two lines broad, deeply and sharply toothed. _sori_ small, six to
twelve to a segment, in two rows near the midrib, the lower ones
curved, often double. Jamaica, &c. Stove species. SYN. _Athyrium
brevisorum_.
=A. bulbiferum= (bulb-bearing). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to 12in. long.
_fronds_ 1ft. to 2ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad, oblong-deltoid,
with numerous horizontal pinnæ on each side, which are often
proliferous from the upper surface, the largest 4in. to 8in. long,
1-1/2in. to 2in. broad; pinnules lanceolate-deltoid, slightly
toothed. _sori_ oblong, when mature often filling the whole breadth
of the segments. New Zealand, &c., very widely distributed.
Greenhouse species.
=A. b. Fabianum= (Fabia's). Lower segments deeply pinnatifid, with
narrow divisions and sub-marginal sori. SYN. _A. Fabianum_.
=A. b. laxum= (loose). Habit more slender; segments narrow, so that
the sori are often as if marginal.
=A. caudatum= (tailed). Probably a form of _A. falcatum_, but
having the sori more confined to the centre of the pinnæ, being
often restricted to two parallel rows close to the rachis.
Polynesia, &c. Greenhouse species.
[Illustration: FIG. 170. ASPLENIUM CETERACH.]
=A. Ceterach.=* Scale or Scaly Fern. _sti._ densely tufted, 1in. to
3in. long, scaly. _fronds_ 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in to 1in. broad,
cut down nearly or quite to the rachis into alternate, blunt,
sub-entire, broadly-oblong or roundish pinnæ, with a rounded sinus
between them; upper surface naked, lower densely clothed with deep
brown membranous scales. _sori_ linear oblique. Britain, throughout
Europe, Northern Asia, &c. This is a variable species, but the
forms do not remain constant under cultivation. It should be firmly
planted in a vertical chink of the rockery in loam, lime rubbish,
rock chippings, and sand, and be watered freely during the summer.
SYN. _Ceterach officinarum_. See Fig. 170.
=A. C. aureum= (golden).* A large variety, producing fronds from
9in. to 15in. long, 1-1/2in. to 3in. broad, and pinnæ more oblong
than the type; scales toothed. Canaries and Madeira. This is a
charming fern, requiring greenhouse treatment. SYN. _Ceterach
aureum_.
=A. cicutarium= (Cicuta-leaved).* _sti._ tufted, 4in. to 8in. long.
_fronds_ 6in. to 15in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, tripinnate, with
ten to fifteen horizontal pinnæ on each side, the lower ones 2in.
to 3in. long, 1in. broad, cut down to the rachis into numerous
ovate-rhomboidal pinnules, which are 3/8in. to 1/2in. long, 1/4in.
broad, obliquely-truncate on the lower side; segments once or
twice cleft at the apex. _sori_ principally in two rows along the
pinnules. Tropical America, &c. Stove species.
=A. Colensoi= (Colenso's). _sti._ tufted, 3in. to 4in. long.
_fronds_ 6in. to 9in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, tripinnatifid,
with numerous rather rigid erecto-patent pinnæ, the lower on
stalks 1/4in. to 1/2in. long; lower pinnules spreading, deeply
inciso-pinnatifid, with linear segments. _sori_ oblong, solitary.
New Zealand. A beautiful greenhouse species. SYN. _A. Hookerianum_.
=A. compressum= (compressed). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to 8in. long.
_fronds_ 2ft. to 3ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad, simply pinnate,
lanceolate-oblong, with ten to twenty sessile pinnæ on each side,
which are 4in. to 6in. long, about 1in. broad, acute or bluntish
at the point, edge slightly dentate, the upper ones decurrent at
the base upon the stout fleshy compressed rachis, the upper side
narrowed suddenly at about a right angle, the lower one obliquely
truncate. _sori_ broad, distant, not reaching either the midrib or
edge. St. Helena. Stove or greenhouse species.
=A. contiguum= (contiguous). _sti._ tufted, 6in. to 9in. long.
_fronds_ 12in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, with twenty
to thirty horizontal sub-falcate pinnæ on each side, which are
acuminated at the apex; edge more or less serrated, the base
narrowed suddenly, and sometimes auricled on the upper, obliquely
truncate in a curve on the lower side. _sori_ close, copious,
falling considerably short of the margin. Sandwich Isles.
Greenhouse species.