How to Know the Ferns

by S. Leonard Bastin

Nephrodium æmulum. Here the specific name is taken from a Latin word meaning “comparable with”; the reference is to the similarity of the species of N. spinulosum. Some botanists have considered that N. æmulum is merely a variety of N. spinulosum, though the species seems to be quite distinct. The species is also called Lastrea æmula; L. fœniscii and L. recurva. The Hay Scented or Triangular Buckler Fern.

A very characteristic feature of this species are the upturned margins of the fronds. This makes the leaf look as if it was curled, and at the same time renders the upper surface of the frond concave. The outline of the fronds is roughly triangular, being widest at the base. The fronds are about one or two feet in length, and the stipes is about equal to the leafy portion. The pinnæ are arranged either in pairs or alternately on either side of the stalk. These are divided into pinnules which, in some cases, towards their bases are again divided. The fronds are of an exceptionally bright green colour, and when bruised give out a pleasant odour not unlike that of new hay. This is due to the secretions of small glands which are to be found on the undersides of the fronds.

The sori on the backs of the fronds are arranged in lines on either side of the mid-veins of the lobes. These are covered with kidney-shaped indusia.

The Hay Scented Buckler Fern cannot be said to be common, although it has a wide distribution and may turn up in unexpected places. It is more abundant in the West of England and in Ireland than elsewhere. It only flourishes in damp places, and this point must be borne in mind when planting it in the garden. The Hay Scented Buckler Fern is an evergreen species.

Nephrodium rigidum. The specific name—Latin for “stiff”—is evidently bestowed on the plant on account of its erect habit of growth. The species is also called Lastrea rigida. The Rigid Buckler Fern.

This species is quite the rarest of all the Buckler Ferns. The plant has a thickish root-stock from which arise the fronds, usually about a foot in length. The stipes is, as a rule, about half the length of the entire leaf; the bare portion of the stalk is thickly covered with brown scales. The outline of the frond is somewhat variable; on occasion, examples may be found with a lanceolate outline, whilst others may be distinctly triangular in shape. The frond is bi-pinnate, the pinnate being placed rather irregularly on either side of the rachis. The pinnules are blunt and somewhat oblong in shape; they have serrated edges, but do not bear any spines.

The sori are placed on either side of the vein in the middle of the pinnules. These are covered in their early stages with kidney-shaped indusia. Sometimes this frond has a slight fragrance when it is bruised.

The Rigid Buckler Fern is really a mountain species, and generally grows at an elevation of more than a thousand feet above sea-level. It is fairly common in parts of Yorkshire and in some of the north-western counties of England, otherwise it is a real rarity. It is not difficult to grow in the garden, but as it flourishes best in a limestone soil it is a good plan to mix bits of this rock up with the soil which is used. The new fronds appear in May and die down during the winter.

Polystichum (Aspidium) lonchitis. Here the generic name is based on two Greek words, polys, “many,” stichos, “order”; the specific name is also derived from another Greek word—lonche, “a spear,” this referring to the narrow spear-like appearance of the fronds. The Holly Fern.

This species, on account of its regular habit of growth and generally stiff appearance, is an easy one to identify. The fronds arise from a tufted root-stock, and in average specimens would be about nine inches in length. This might be greater or less, according to the conditions under which the particular plant was living. The shape of the fronds is narrowly lanceolate, and there is a very short stipes which is thickly covered with scales. The leaves of the Holly Fern are once pinnate, the pinnæ being ovate and having a curious ear-shaped enlargement at their bases on the upward side. The edges of the pinnæ are adorned with a number of sharp teeth, and this gives a singular spiny appearance to the whole plant. On this account the Fern has probably received its popular name of Holly Fern. The colour of the foliage is of a very pretty bright green tint.