Meniscium
(from meniskos, a crescent; referring to the shape of the spores). ORD. Filices. A genus comprising ten species of very distinct stove ferns, almost confined to the tropics. Fronds simple or once pinnate. Sori oblong or linear, occupying the connivent transverse veinlets. The species generally do well in a loamy soil, and should always be kept moist at the roots, without stagnation. For general culture, see Ferns.
M. angustifolium (narrow-fronded). sti. sub-tufted, 6in. to 18in. long, firm, erect, slightly pubescent. fronds 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 1ft. broad; pinnae spreading, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/4in. to 3/4in. broad, gradually narrowed to a long acuminate point, the edge subentire, the base cuneate, the lower ones often stalked; fertile pinnae much narrower than the barren ones; rachis pubescent. areolae four to six between the midrib and edge. West Indies to Peru.
M. giganteum (gigantic). sti. 1ft. long, dark brown, slightly pubescent. fronds simple, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. broad, elongate-oblong, narrowed rather suddenly at both ends, the edge slightly repand. areolae thirty to forty between the midrib and edge. Peru. A rare species in cultivation. M. palustre (marsh). A synonym of M. serratum.
M. reticulatum (netted). sti. tufted, 1ft. to 3ft. long, stout. fronds pinnate, 2ft. to 4ft. long, 1ft. or more broad; pinnae 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 4in. broad, the apex acuminate, the edge entire or sub-repand, the base rounded or cuneate. areolae eight to twelve between the midrib and edge. Mexico to Peru, 1793.
M. serratum (serrated). sti. 1ft. to 3ft. long, stout. fronds pinnate, 3ft. to 4ft. or more long, 1ft. or more broad; pinnae 1in. to 3in. apart, 6in. to 12in. long, 1/2in. to 2in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, the base cordate or cuneate, the apex acuminate, the edge finely toothed. areolae twelve to twenty between the midrib and edge. Mexico to Peru. SYN. M. palustre. M. simplex (simple). rhiz. firm, wide-creeping. sti. stramineous, of the barren fronds 4in. to 6in., of the fertile 1ft. or more, long. fronds simple; barren ones 6in. to 9in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, the base cordate, and sometimes auricled, the edge crenate; fertile ones similar but smaller. areolae eight to twelve between the midrib and edge. Chusan, Hong Kong, &c., 1850.
M. Thwaitesii (Thwaites'). rhiz. firm, wide-creeping. sti. 9in. to 12in. long, sub-stramineous, nearly naked. fronds 8in. to 10in. long, 4in. to 5in. broad, sub-deltoid; the apex acuminate, crenato-pinnatifid; below this several blunt, linear-oblong, sub-entire pinnae, lowest largest, distinctly stalked, 2in. to 3in. long, 3/4in. broad, edge bluntly (not deeply) lobed; base narrowed suddenly. areolae and sori four or five in the lower pinnae between the midrib and edge. Ceylon.
M. triphyllum (three-leaved). rhiz. firm, wide-creeping. sti. slender, sub-stramineous, of the barren fronds 4in. to 6in., of the fertile fronds 1ft. or more, long. fronds with an oblong-lanceolate terminal pinna, 4in. to 6in. 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the base cuneate or rounded, the edge repand, and one or two similar but smaller ones on each side, the fertile ones smaller than the barren ones. areolae six to nine between the midrib and edge. Himalayas, &c., 1828.