Botrychium
(from botrys, a bunch; in reference to the bunch-like disposition of the indusia). Moonwort. ORD. Filices. A genus of very interesting and pretty little hardy ferns. Capsules sessile, arranged in two rows on the face of spikes which form a compound panicle. They require a compost of sandy loam; perfect drainage is most essential. For general culture, see Ferns. B. australe (southern). A variety of B. ternatum.
B. daucifolium (Daucus-leaved). sti. stout, 6in. to 12in. long; petiole of sterile segments 1in. to 6in. long, the latter 6in. to 12in. each way, deltoid, tripinnatifid or tripinnate, the lower pinnae largest; segments lanceolate-oblong, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, finely toothed. fertile peduncle equalling the sterile segments when mature; panicle 2in. to 4in. long; tripinnate, not very close. Himalayas, &c. Greenhouse species. SYN. B. subcarnosum.
B. Lunaria. Common Moonwort.* sti. 1in. to 4in.long. sterile segments sessile, or nearly so, 1in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. broad, base much broader than the middle, cut down to a flattened rachis into several distinct, close, entire, or notched cuneate-flabellate pinnae on both sides. fertile peduncle equalling or exceeding the sterile portion; panicle close, 1in. to 2in. long. England, &c. Hardy.
B. lunarioides (Lunaria-like). A variety of B. ternatum. B. obliquum (oblique). A variety of B. ternatum.
B. subcarnosum (sub-fleshy). A synonym of B. daucifolium. B. ternatum (ternate).* sti. 1in. to 2in. long. petiole of the sterile segments 2in. to 4in. long, the latter 3in. to 6in. each way, deltoid, tri- or quadripinnatifid; lower pinnae much the largest. fertile peduncle 6in. to 9in. long; panicle 1in. to 6in. long; deltoid, very compound. Nootka and Hudson's Bay territory. Several so-called species come very close to this, including australe, lunarioides, and obliquum, which are only geographical varieties. Greenhouse species.
B. virginianum (Virginian).* sti. 3in. to 18in. long. sterile segments sessile, 4in. to 12in. each way, deltoid, quadripinnatifid; lower pinnae much the largest; pinnules oval-oblong, close, cut down to the rachis into finely cut linear-oblong segments. fertile peduncle equalling or exceeding the sterile part of the plant when mature; panicle 1in. to 4in. long, loose, oblong. Oregon, and North United States, 1790, A hardy species in sheltered places. (H. G. F.29.)