FIG. 26. ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS DAPHNITES.
A. C.-V. daphnites (glistening).* sti. and rachises dark brown, reaching a height of from 9in. to 14in. pinnæ and ultimate pinnules more or less confluent, the latter being broad, and of a dull green colour, usually forming a tufted crest at the extremities of the fronds. A charming subject for the Wardian case. Very distinct. See Fig. 26.
A. C.-V. fissum (divided). Very dwarf in habit, with pinnules rather broader than those of the type, which are deeply and variously cut, so as to give the plant a distinctive appearance from most of the forms.
A. C.-V. Footi (Foot's). Closely allied to the variety fissum, having fronds a foot or more long, with very ample pinnules deeply incised, light green. Vigorous.
A. C.-V. incisum (deeply cut). Very closely allied to A. C.-V. fissum, but rather more vigorous in growth; pinnules broad, and deeply slit into segments near the base.
A. C.-V. magnificum (magnificent).* fronds from 9in. to 16in. long, more or less elongated in outline, 3in. to 4in. across; pinnules ample, rich green, with the margins finely cut and imbricated. The arching character gives this form a most distinct appearance. A very fine variety.
A. C.-V. rotundum (rounded). Pinnules usually round, without the cuneiform base of the normal form; neither are the fronds so broad. Isle of Man. Variable in its habit.
A. C.-V. undulatum (wavy).* fronds dense, compact, having broad, roundish dark green pinnules, which are undulated at the edges. An elegant dwarf-growing form.
A. cardiochlæna (heart-form indusium). A synonym of A. polyphyllum.
A. caudatum (tailed).* sti. 2in. to 4in. long, tufted, wiry. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, simply pinnate, often elongated, and rooting at the extremity; pinnæ about ½in. long, ¼in. deep, dimidiate, nearly sessile, the lower line straight and horizontal, the upper rounded, more or less cut, the point usually blunt, the lower ones slightly stalked. sori roundish or transversely oblong on the edge of the lobes; rachis and both sides of the frond villose. A. ciliatum (of gardens) is probably a mere form, if not a synonym, of this species. Throughout the Tropics everywhere. Greenhouse or stove species; very fine for hanging baskets.
A. colpodes (deep hollow).* sti. 4in. to 6in. long, slender, slightly fibrillose. fronds 9in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 8in. broad, deltoid, tripinnate, light green; lower pinnæ spreading at right angles from the rachis, 2in. to 4in. long, 1½in. broad, slightly branched below; ultimate segments about ½in. long, ¼in. broad, the lower line often straight, the upper rounded, lobed, and toothed, all nearly or quite sessile. sori placed in distinct teeth of the outer edge. Ecuador and Peru, 1875. Greenhouse species.
A. concinnum (neat).* sti. 4in. to 8in. long. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, ovate-deltoid, tripinnate; pinnæ numerous, spreading, flexuous, the lowest 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; segments ¼in. to ⅜in. across, broadly cuneate at the base, the upper edge irregularly rounded, deeply lobed, the lobes crenate, the lowest segment of each pinna and pinnule large, sessile. sori numerous, ob-reniform. Tropical America. A most elegant species for baskets and the rockery.
A. c. Flemingi (Fleming's). This variety, of garden origin, is also very handsome.
A. c. latum (broad).* Differs from the type in being more erect and robust in habit, and broader in all its parts. It constitutes an excellent stove plant.
A. crenatum (crenated).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long. fronds with a terminal central pinna 6in. to 9in. long and several large erecto-patent lateral ones on each side, the lowest of which are branched again; segments about ½in. long, ¼in. deep, dimidiate, the lower line upcurved, the upper nearly straight, slightly crenate. sori numerous, round, placed on the upper and sometimes outer edge. This is closely allied to A. tetraphyllum. Mexico. Stove species. SYN. A. Wilesianum.
FIG. 27. ADIANTUM DECORUM.
A. cristatum (crested). sti. 6in. to 12in. long, strong, erect, tomentose. fronds 1½ft. to 3ft. long, 9in. to 12in. broad, with a terminal central pinna 6in. to 9in. long, 1in. to 1½in. broad, and numerous rather distant lateral ones on each side, the lowest of which are sometimes again branched; segments ½in. to ¾in. long, ¼in. to ⅜in. broad, dimidiate, the lower line nearly straight, the upper nearly parallel or rounded, the point blunt. sori in several oblong or linear patches. West Indies and Venezuela, 1844. Stove species. SYN. A. Kunzeanum.
A. cubense (Cuba).* sti. 4in. to 8in. long, nearly black, erect. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, simply pinnate, or with a single pair of short branches; pinnæ 1in. to 2in. long, and about ¾in. to 1in. broad, unilateral, the lower line slightly recurved, the upper rounded and broadly lobed, of a deep green colour, with a soft herbaceous texture. sori in hollows of the lobes. Cuba and Jamaica. A very distinct stove species.
A. cuneatum (wedge-shaped).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, slender, erect. fronds 9in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, deltoid, tri- or quadripinnate; lower pinnæ 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; segments numerous, ¼in. to ⅜in. broad, cuneate at the base, the upper edge deeply lobed. sori four to six, obversely reniform. Brazil, 1820. This fine greenhouse species is more generally grown than any other; and a number of garden forms have received distinctive names.
A. c. dissectum (dissected).* A pretty variety, with the pinnules more deeply lobed than in the type.
A. c. Lawsonianum (Lawson's). This is a very abnormal form, curiously and finely cut, with the ultimate segments narrowly cuneate at the base, stalked, and distant. Of garden origin. Greenhouse variety.
A. c. mundulum (neat).* sti. 3in. to 4in. high. fronds dwarf, tufted, erect, hardly 3in. broad, deltoid, tripinnate; pinnæ and pinnules crowded; pinnules narrowly cuneate, rarely three-parted, with narrow wedge-shaped lobes; apex slightly crenate, and bears a roundish sorus set in a notch of the lobe or crenature. Of garden origin, 1879. Greenhouse variety.
A. Cunninghami (Cunningham's). Synonymous with [A. affine.]
A. curvatum (curved).* sti. 6in. to 12in. long. fronds dichotomous, with main divisions again once or twice forked; pinnæ 8in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; pinnules 1¼in. to 1½in. long, about ½in. deep, not truly dimidiate, but only the lower two-thirds of the under half cut away, the upper margin rounded and broadly lobed, with the lobes finely toothed and point often lengthened out. sori linear, or transversely oblong. Tropical America, 1841. Stove species.
A. decorum (decorous).* sti. 4in. to 6in. long. fronds sub-deltoid, 9in. to 15in. long, three to four pinnate; lower pinnæ and pinnules stalked, deltoid; side segments rhomboid, ¼in. to ⅜in. long; outer edge distinctly lobed; lower segments equilateral, imbricated over main rachis. sori round, in final lobes, four to six to a segment. This greenhouse species ranks midway between A. concinnum and A. cuneatum. Peru. SYN. A. Wagneri. See [Fig. 27.]
A. deltoideum (deltoid).* sti. densely tufted, 3in. to 4in. long, wiry, erect. fronds 4in. to 6in. long, ¾in. broad, with a terminal lobe and numerous sub-opposite pinnæ, the lower ones distant, distinctly stalked, ½in. long, ¼in. to ⅜in. broad, hastate-deltoid, cordate or cuneate at the base. sori in interrupted lines along the sides of the pinnæ. West Indian Islands. Stove species.
FIG. 28. ADIANTUM DIAPHANUM.
A. diaphanum (transparent).* sti. 4in. to 8in. long, slender, erect. fronds 6in. to 7in. long, simply pinnate, or with one to three branches at the base; pinnules ½in. long, ¼in. broad, the lower line rather decurved, the upper nearly parallel with it, crenate like the blunt outer edge. sori obversely reniform, numerous. S.E. China, New Zealand, &c. Greenhouse species. SYN. A. setulosum. See Fig. 28.
A. digitatum (finger-leaved).* sti. 12in. to 18in. long, erect. fronds 1ft. to 3ft. long, 6in. to 1ft. 6in. broad, furnished with numerous distant spreading or erecto-patent branches, gradually shortened upwards, the lowest of which are branched again; lower pinnæ 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad; segments ¾in. to 1in. each way, varying from deflexed to cuneate at the base, the upper edge rounded, deeply cut, and the lobes again less deeply cut, the lower ones distinctly stalked. sori in lines along the edge of the lobes. Peru. It is generally cultivated under the name of A. speciosum. Stove or greenhouse species.
A. dolabriforme (axe-shaped). Synonymous with A. lunulatum.
A. dolosum (deceiving). Synonymous with A. Wilsoni.
A. Edgworthii (Edgeworth's).* This differs from caudatum by having more membranous texture, glabrous surfaces, and sub-entire pinnæ. Himalaya and China.
A. emarginatum (notched at the end). Synonymous with A. æthiopicum.
A. excisum (bluntly cut).* sti. 2in. to 3in. long, wiry, densely tufted. fronds 6in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, with numerous flexuose short pinnæ on each side, the lowest of which are slightly branched again; segments two to three lines broad, cuneate at the base, the upper edge rounded and bluntly lobed. sori two to four, large, obversely reniform, placed in distinct hollows on the lobes. Chili.
A. e. Leyi (Ley's).* This is a very dwarf, copiously crested form, of garden origin, most suitable for case culture. Greenhouse variety.
A. e. multifidum (much-cut).* A handsome garden variety; the apex of every frond is frequently divided into several branches, which oftentimes are again divided and crested, thus forming a beautiful tassel 2in. to 3in. long. Greenhouse species.
A. Feei (Fee's).* sti. 12in. to 18in. long, strong, scandent. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1ft. or more broad, tripinnate, the main and secondary rachises zigzag, all the branches firm and spreading at a right angle; lower pinnæ 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad; pinnules 1in. to 2in. long, ½in. broad, consisting of a terminal segment and several distant suborbicular-cuneate lateral ones. sori marginal, roundish, more than half line deep. Tropical America. Stove species. SYN. A. flexuosum.
A. flabellulatum (small fan-leaved).* sti. erect, strong. fronds dichotomously branched, and the divisions once or twice branched again; central pinnæ 4in. to 8in. long, ¾in. broad; pinnules about ¼in. broad and deep, dimidiate, the lower edge nearly straight, the upper rounded, the outer blunt, both entire or slightly toothed. sori in several transversely oblong notches. Tropical Asia. Stove species. SYN. A. amœnum.
A. flexuosum (zigzagly-bent). Synonymous with A. Feei.
A. formosum (beautiful).* sti. 12in. to 18in. long, strong, erect. fronds 18in. to 24in. long, 12in. to 18in. broad, bi-, tri-, or quadripinnate; lower pinnæ 12in. to 15in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, deltoid; pinnules deltoid; ultimate segments ¼in. to ⅜in. broad, one and a half to two lines deep, dimidiate, the lower edge straight, the upper and outer rather rounded and deeply lobed, the lower ones distinctly stalked. sori numerous, between obreniform and transversely oblong. Australia, 1820. Greenhouse species.
A. fovearum. Synonymous with A. intermedium.
A. fulvum (tawny).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, strong, erect. fronds 9in. to 12in. long, 6in. to 8in. broad, deltoid in general outline, with a terminal pinna 4in. to 6in. long, about 1½in. broad, and several erecto-patent branches, the lower of which are branched again; pinnules about ¾in. long, ¼in. deep, dimidiate, the lower edge nearly straight, the upper almost parallel, sharply toothed like the oblique outer edge. sori large, numerous. New Zealand. Greenhouse species.
A. Ghiesbreghti (Ghiesbreght's).* fronds 18in. to 30in. long, ovate, deltoid, tripinnate; pinnules large, slightly crenate on the margins. A very fine stove fern, with the habit of A. tenerum Farleyense, but less dense. It is undoubtedly a variety of tenerum, having originated in Mr. Williams's nursery some years since. SYN. A. scutum.
A. glaucophyllum (grey-leaved).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, erect. fronds 12in. to 24in. long, 9in. to 15in. broad, deltoid, quadripinnate; lower pinnæ 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, deltoid, erecto-patent; segments ¼in. broad, cuneate at the base, the upper edge irregularly rounded, more or less lobed. sori four to six, obversely reniform, placed in distinct hollows in the apex of the lobes of the upper edge, deep green above, glaucous beneath. Closely allied to A. cuneatum. Mexico. Greenhouse. SYNS. A. amabile, A. andicolum, A. mexicanum.
A. gracillimum (most graceful).* fronds deltoidly ovate, 9in. to 24in. long, and 6in. to 10in. across, decompound, rich green; ultimate pinnules distant, minute, distinctly stalked, obovate, emarginate, or two to three lobed, the sterile lobes blunt. sori solitary on the entire pinnules, two to three on the larger lobed ones. One of the most graceful and beautiful of greenhouse ferns; the very numerous minute segments and the ramifications of the rachis impart to a well grown plant a very charming appearance. Of garden origin. A form of A. cuneatum.
A. Henslovianum (Henslow's).* sti. 6in. to 12in. long, erect. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, ovate, tripinnate, furnished with numerous distant pinnæ on each side, the upper of which are simple, but the lowest slightly branched; segments ½in. to ¾in. broad, ¼in. to ⅜in. deep, dimidiate, the lower line nearly straight, the upper rather rounded and lobed, the point bluntly rounded. sori obversely reniform, placed in the hollows of the lobes. Columbia, Peru, &c., 1833. A most distinct and beautiful stove species. SYNS. A. lætum, A. Reichenbachii, A. sessilifolium.
A. Hewardia (Heward's). sti. 6in. to 9in. long, erect. fronds simply pinnate or bipinnate, with a terminal pinna and two to four lateral ones on each side, the lowest pair of which sometimes with two to four pinnules each; pinnules 3in. to 4in. long, about 1in. broad, nearly equal sided, ovate lanceolate, nearly entire. sori in continuous lines along both edges. Jamaica, &c., occurring over a wide area. Stove species. SYN. Hewardia adiantoides.
A. hispidulum (hairyish).* sti. 6in. to 15in. long, strong, erect. fronds dichotomous, with the main divisions flabellately branched; central pinnæ 6in. to 9in. long, ½in. to 1in. broad; pinnules ⅜in. to ¾in. long, two to four lines broad, dimidiate, subrhomboidal, the outer edge bluntly rounded, upper and outer margin finely toothed, slightly stalked. sori roundish, numerous, contiguous. Tropics of Old World, 1822. Greenhouse. SYN. A. pubescens.
A. intermedium (intermediate). sti. 6in. to 12in. long, erect, strong. fronds with a terminal pinna 6in. to 9in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, and one to three small spreading lateral ones on each side; pinnules 1in. to 1½in. long; ¼in. to ½in. broad, unequal sided, but not dimidiate, the point bluntish or acute, the inner edge nearly parallel with the stem, the upper nearly straight, scarcely toothed. sori in interrupted marginal patches, one to two lines across, placed round the upper and lower edges. Stove. Tropical America, from the Antilles southwards to Peru and Rio Janeiro, 1824. SYNS. A. fovearum, A. triangulatum.
A. Kunzeanum (Kunze's). Synonymous with [A. cristatum.]
A. lætum (joyful). Synonymous with [A. Henslovianum].
A. Lathomi (Lathom's).* A garden variety, said to be a sport from [A. Ghiesbreghti], which it closely resembles, being between it and [A. Farleyense]. It is a magnificent plant, producing fronds from 18in. to 24in. long, with imbricated deeply-cut pinnules. Stove variety.
A. Legrandi (Legrand's). Very closely allied to, if not identical with, [A. Pecottei]. Greenhouse variety, of garden origin.
A. Lindeni (Linden's).* sti. black, naked. fronds erect, large, pentagonal, tripinnate; rachises pubescent above, naked beneath; segments sub-distant, 1½in. long, oblong-rhomboidal, falcate, acuminate, outer margins closely but bluntly lobed, of a deep green colour, the lobes toothed. sori oblong or reniform. Amazons, 1866. A magnificent stove species.
A. lucidum (shiny).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, strong, erect. fronds 9in. to 15in. long, 4in. to 8in. broad, simply pinnate, with a large terminal pinna and six to ten lateral ones on each side, or the lowest very slightly branched, 3in. to 4in. long, ½in. to 1in. broad, nearly equal sided, lanceolate acuminate, slightly serrated towards the point. sori in a continuous row along each side. West Indian Islands and Tropical America. Stove species.
