Helminthostachys
(from helmins, helminthos, a little worm, and stachys, a spike; in allusion to the arrangement of the sporangia). ORD. Filices. A curious and handsome stove fern, closely allied to Botrychium. Capsules in small crested clusters, which form a long loose spike. For culture, see Ferns. H. dulcis (sweet). A synonym of H. zeylanica.
H. zeylanica (Cingalese). rhiz. thick, creeping. sti. often 1ft. long. fronds, barren segments palmato-pinnate, often in three principal divisions, which are stalked and again forked or pinnate, the ultimate divisions linear-oblong, 3in. to 4in. long, nearly 1in. broad; fertile spike solitary, arising from the base of the barren segments, 3in. to 4in. long, 1/2in. broad. Himalaya to Queensland, 1861. SYN. H. dulcis. (H. G. F. 28.)