Didymochlaena
(from didymos, twin, and chlaina, a cloak; referring to the coverings of the sporecases). Including Sphaerostephanos. ORD. Filices. A small genus of stove Ferns, containing but the two species described below. Involucre elliptical, emarginate at the base, attached to the linear receptacle, free all round the edge. Sori elliptical, terminal on a veinlet, but distinctly intramarginal. For general culture, see Ferns. D. lunulata (crescent-like).* cau. erect, sub-arborescent. fronds densely tufted, 4ft. to 6ft. long, bipinnate; pinnules 3/4in. to 1in. long, dimidiate, sub-quadrangular, entire, or slightly sinuated. sori two to six to a pinnule. Tropical America. SYN. Aspidium truncatulum.
D. polycarpa (many-fruited). cau. erect; rachis and lower surface villose. fronds tufted, short, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. broad, simply pinnate; pinnae close, very numerous, spreading, dwindling down below to mere auricles. sori small, close, ultimately confluent. Malaya. SYNS. Mesochlaena polycarpa and Nephrodium javanicum.
D. p. asplenioides (Asplenium-like) is a hairy form, with narrower pinnae and short oblong-deltoid lobes.