Marattia
(named after J. F. Maratti, an Italian botanist, who published, in 1760, a book, "De Floribus Filicum"). Including Eupodium and Gymnotheca. ORD. Filices. A well-marked genus, comprising about eight species of stove or greenhouse evergreen Ferns, extending all round the world within the tropics, and a little beyond the Southern one. Capsules sessile or stalked, four to twelve, concrete in boat-shaped synangia, which consist of two opposite rows of capsules, and open by slits down their inner faces. The species are strong-growing, distinct, and very ornamental, and thrive best in a compost of equal parts loam, peat, and river sand. If Marattias are grown in a stove fernery, they should be placed partially in the water; being swamp-loving plants, they will grow more luxuriantly in such a situation. For general culture, see Ferns.
M. alata (winged). sti. 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1in. or more thick, scaly. fronds 3ft. to 4ft. long, tripinnatifid, the lower pinnae the largest, the ultimate divisions 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, about 1/4in. broad, oblong, the edge serrate or crenate; under surface more or less chaffy. synangia copious, sub-marginal, half a line to three-quarters of a line long, the sides erect, the attachment oblong or roundish. West Indies, &c., 1793. A very handsome plant, perhaps the best of the genus, thriving well in the cool fernery or conservatory. SYN. Gymnotheca alata.
M. attenuata (attenuated). sti. 3ft. to 4ft. long, smooth. fronds 3ft. to 4ft. long, tripinnate; pinnae 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, lower ones with a stalk 6in. long, and two or three pinnules on each side, the latter with a terminal segment and three or four on each side, which are 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. or more broad, apex serrated, base cuneate, lower ones short-stalked; surfaces naked; rachises not winged. synangia sub-marginal, the sides vertical; receptacle linear. Australia, 1863. Greenhouse.
M. cicutaefolia (Cicuta-leaved). sti. 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1in. thick, smooth. fronds 5ft. to 6ft. long, bipinnate; lower pinnae, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, often 1ft. broad; pinnules oblong-lanceolate, 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. broad, edge entire or serrulate, base cuneate or slightly rounded; surfaces naked; rachis of pinnae slightly winged towards the apex. synangia a short distance from the edge, deep-cleft. Brazil, 1878. Stove. SYN. Gymnotheca cicutaefolia. M. elegans (elegant). This is a mere form of M. fraxinea. M. fraxinea (ashen). sti. 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. thick, smooth, scaly and swollen in the lower part. fronds 6ft. to 15ft. long, bipinnate or casually tripinnate; pinnae 1ft. to 2ft. long, often 1ft. broad; pinnules oblong-lanceolate, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the apex acuminate, the edge entire or serrulate, the base cuneate or slightly rounded; surfaces naked. synangia usually sub-marginal, in close rows, half a line to one and a half lines long, the sides vertical, the receptacle linear, with from six to twelve capsules on each side. Guinea Coast. Stove. "From this," remarks Mr. J. G. Baker, "we cannot separate clearly many plants which have been regarded as distinct," of which the following are believed to be in cultivation: M. purpurascens, a. reduced, fleshy form, as if grown in a very exposed situation; the fronds not more than from 3ft. to 4ft. high; lower pinnules often cut down to a distinctly-winged rachis. M. salicifolia, pinnules sharply toothed throughout, often only 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad. synangia with about six capsules on each side, not so close or so near the edge.
M. Kaulfussii (Kaulfuss'). sti. 2ft. to 3ft. long, thick, naked. fronds 3ft. to 4ft. long, quadripinnatifid; the lowest pinnae much the largest, all except the lowest pair pinnatifid, 1ft. or more long, 6in. to 8in. broad; pinnules 3in. to 4in. long, the rachis very distinctly winged; segments oblong, deeply and bluntly toothed; surfaces naked. synangia half a line to three-quarters of a line long, not marginal, deeply cleft, the sides ultimately spreading. West Indies, &c. Stove. SYN. Eupodium Kaulfussii.
M. laxa (loose). sti. 1ft. to 2ft. long, smooth. fronds several feet long, bipinnate; lower pinnae 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, often 1ft. broad; pinnules oblong-lanceolate, 4in. to 6in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, the edge inciso-crenate, the base cordate; surfaces naked; rachis slightly winged towards the apex. synangia quite close to the edge, three-quarters of a line to one line long, the sides always erect, the attachment linear. Mexico. Stove. SYN. Gymnotheca laxa.
M. purpurascens (purplish). A form of M. fraxinea.
M. salicifolia (Willow-leaved). A form of M. fraxinea.