Pellaea
(from pellos, dark-coloured; referring to the dusky colour of the fronds). Cliff Brake Fern. Including Allosorus, Cheiloplecton, Holcochlaena, and Platyloma. ORD. Filices. A widely-distributed genus, comprising about sixty species of stove and greenhouse ferns, with the habit of Cheilanthes. Sori intramarginal, terminal on the veins, at first dot-like or decurrent on the veins, but soon running into a line; involucre formed of the more or less changed edge of the frond, quite continuous, sometimes very narrow. For culture, &c., see Ferns.
P. andromedaefolia (Andromeda-leaved).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, densely reddish-brown, scaly at base. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, ovate, tri-or quadri-pinnate; pinnae rigid, erecto-patent, deltoid-lanceolate, the lowest with several linear-oblong pinnules, the lower segments of which are sometimes slightly branched; ultimate divisions about 1/8in. long, blunt, with inrolled edges. Involucre wrinkled, scarcely changed from the substance of the frond, and sometimes nearly meeting edge to edge. America and Cape Colony. Greenhouse.
P. angustifolia cuneata (narrow-leaved, wedge-shaped). sti. 6in. to 12in. long, tufted, strong, erect, dark chestnut-brown. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, oblong-deltoid, quadripinnatifld; pinnae 2in. to 4in. long, lanceolate-deltoid; pinnules cut down to the rachis into oblong, acute segments, which are 1/4in. long, 1/8in. broad, cuneate at the base. Involucres broad, membranous, rolled over the sori. Mexico to Venezuela. Stove. (The type is figured in H. S. F. 119B, under name of P. decomposita.) P. atropurpurea (dark purple).* sti. 3in. to 4in. long, tufted, rigid, tomentose. fronds 4in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 6in. broad, varying from lanceolate, and simply pinnate, to ovate-lanceolate, with deltoid pinnae, which are 2in. to 3in. long, with several pinnules on each side, the latter nearly sessile, 1in. to 2in. long, hardly 1/4in. broad, entire or sharply auricled at one or both sides at the base; rachis tomentose. Involucres formed of the slightly altered, incurved edge of the pinnules, at length nearly hidden by the broad line of the fruit. North America, &c., 1770. Greenhouse.
P. bella (handsome) sti. 3in. long, ebeneous. fronds 5in. to 6in. long, linear, bipinnate or sub-tripinnate; pinnae 1/2in. to 5/8in. long, numerous, ovate, sessile; pinnules 1/2in. long, linear-oblong, four to six-jugate, mucronate, rounded at base, the lowest sometimes bi-or ternate, the edges strongly revolute. California, 1873. Greenhouse.
P. brachyptera (shortly-winged).* rhiz. short-creeping, scaly towards the end. sti. 4in. to 6in. long, castaneous. fronds 4in. to 6in. long, lanceolate, bipinnate; pinnae very short, sessile, semicircular, erecto-patent, the lower ones consisting of seven to nine narrow-linear pinnules, 3/4in. to 7/8in. long, with mucronate tips, rounded bases, and revolute edges. California, 1873. Greenhouse. This is regarded by some authorities as a variety of P. ornithopus. for which we are indebted to Messrs. W. and J. Birkenhead.
P. Breweri (Brewer's). sti. 2in. to 3in. long, tufted, flaccid, bright chestnut-brown, slightly scaly. fronds 3in. to 9in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, linear-lanceolate; pinnae twelve to eighteen on each side, slightly stalked, broader in the barren than in the fertile frond, varying from lanceolate-oblong and entire to auricled at one or both sides at the base, or cut down nearly to the rachis in the lower part into oblong lobes. Involucres similar in colour and texture to the frond, broad, and much wrinkled. Cape Colony. Greenhouse.
P. Bridgesii (Bridges').* sti. wiry, erect, 2in. to 4in. long, bright chestnut-brown. fronde 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. or less broad, linear, simply pinnate; pinnae six to eight on each side, sessile, oblong, entire, obtuse, cordate or rounded at base. sori in a broad, marginal line, with the much-wrinkled, membranous edge of the frond protruding beyond it till full maturity. California, 1875. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 142B.)
P. Brownii (Brown's). A synonym of P. paradoxa.
P. calomelanos (beautiful-dark). sti. 4in. to 6in. long, strong, erect, dark brown. fronds 4in. to 8in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, sub-deltoid, bi-or tripinnate; lower pinnae rigid, spreading or erecto-patent, linear-oblong, and simply pinnate or deltoid and bipinnate; ultimate segments on rigid, black stalks, the lateral ones 1/2in. to 3/4in. each way, varying in shape from cordate-oblong-obtuse to hastate-triangular, about as broad as long, the two sides at the base often unequal. sori in a broad, marginal line, soon hiding the narrow, membranous involucre. South Africa, 1830. Greenhouse. SYN. Pteris hastata. (B. M. 4769, under name of Allosorus calomelanos.)
P. consobrina (related). sti. 6in. to 12in. long, strong, erect, dark brown. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 4in. to 9in. broad, deltoid, tri-or quadripinnatifid; lowest pinnae deltoid, with the pinnules of the lower side larger than the others, these latter usually cut down into several lanceolate or deltoid, pinnatifid segments; simple ultimate divisions linear-oblong. sori in a continuous line along the margins; involucres moderately broad, membranous, the edge of the segments often inrolled. South Africa, &c. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 117A.) P. cordata (heart-shaped).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, strong, erect, straw-coloured, when young scaly beneath. fronds 1ft. or more long, 4in. to 6in. broad, deltoid-lanceolate; pinnae erectopatent, deltoid-lanceolate, with a straight rachis, the lower ones slightly branched at the base; segments shortly stalked, oblong or ovate, rounded or cordate at base, 1/2in. to 1in. long, with a blunt point; rachis and both surfaces pubescent. sori in broad, marginal lines, which soon hide the involucres. Tropical America, 1820. Greenhouse. (B. M. 4698, under name of Allosorus cordatus.) P. sagittata is regarded, by Mr. Baker, as a form of this species.
P. c. flexuosa (zigzag). A variety with zigzag rachises, the pinnae and pinnules spreading at right angles, or even deflexed. 1838. Stove. SYN. P. flexuosa. (B. M. 4762, under name of Allosorus flexuosus.)
P. crispa (curled). A synonym of Cryptogramme crispa.
P. densa (dense). sti. 4in. to 6in. long, tufted, slender, wiry, chestnut-brown. fronds 2in. to 3in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, oblong-deltoid, tripinnate; pinnae and pinnules crowded, deltoid or lanceolate; segments numerous, linear, with inrolled edges, sessile or shortly stalked, sharp-pointed or mucronate, the terminal ones largest, sometimes 1/4in. long. Involucres broad, rigid, rolled permanently over the sori. North America. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 125B.)
P. falcata (sickle-shaped).* rhiz. wide-creeping. sti. 3in. to 6in. long, strong, erect, pubescent and scaly. fronds 6in. to 18in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, linear-oblong, simply pinnate; pinnae ten to twenty on each side, lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, 1/2in. to 1in. long, usually mucronate, often slightly falcate, cuneate or dilated and cordate at base; rachis densely scaly and tomentose. sori in broad, marginal lines, soon hiding the narrow involucres. Australia, &c., 1823. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 11B.)
P. flexuosa (zigzag). A synonym of P. cordata flexuosa. P. geraniaefolia (Geranium-leaved).* sti. 6in. to 9in. long, erect, wiry, brownish-black, slightly scaly towards the base. fronds 2in. to 4in. each way, deltoid, cut nearly to the rachis into three or four pinnae on each side, of which the lowest pair is much the largest, with the pinnules on the lower side much larger than the others, and deeply lobed, with linear-oblong segments. Sori in broad, marginal lines. Tropics, &c. Greenhouse.
P. glauca (glaucous). sti. 4in. to 8in. long, tufted, strong, erect, dark chestnut-brown. fronds 3in. to 4in. each way, deltoid, quadripinnatifid; lowest pinnae much the largest, and the pinnules on the lower side larger than the others, lanceolate-deltoid, cut down to the rachis into segments, which are again cut down to the rachis below; ultimate divisions about 1/8in. long, linear-oblong, with inrolled edges, more or less crenate; lower surface and rachis tomentose. Involucres coriaceous, rolled down over the sori. Chili and Mexico. Stove. SYN. Pteris glauca.
P. gracilis (slender). sti. 2in. to 3in. long, scattered, slender, straw-coloured or pale brown. fronds 2in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, ovate, bi-or tripinnatifid; pinnae deltoid-lanceolate, 1in. to 2in. long, cut down to the rachis; lower pinnules sometimes again slightly divided; ultimate segments of the barren frond obovate, slightly crenate; those of the fertile one linear-oblong, the terminal one much larger than the others. Involucres broad, continuous, membranous. North America, North India, &c. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 133B.) SYNS. P. Stelleri, Pteris gracilis, Pteris Stelleri.
P. hastata (spear-shaped).* sti. 6in. to 12in. long, wiry, erect, dark chestnut-brown. fronds 6in. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 12in. broad, oblong, bi-or tripinnate; pinnae erecto-patent, varying from simply pinnate to copiously bipinnate; ultimate divisions 1in. to 2in. long, ovate or lanceolate, not toothed, sessile or nearly so. sori in a narrow, continuous, marginal line; involucres rather narrow, membranous, nearly or quite hidden when the fruit is mature. South Africa. Greenhouse. See Fig. 71.
P. intramarginalis (involucred within margin). sti. 3in. to 6in. long, erect, tufted, dark chestnut-brown. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, ovate-lanceolate, bipinnatifld; pinnae 2in. to 3in. long, lanceolate, opposite, cut nearly to the rachis into linear-oblong pinnules. sori copious, confluent, marginal; involucres broad, membranous, fringed. Mexico and Guatemala, 1841. Stove.
P. i. serratifolia (serrate-leaved). In this variety the pinnules are distinctly toothed. SYN. Pteris fallax.
P. involuta (involute). sti. 2in. to 3in. long, wiry, erect, blackish, tufted. fronds 3in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, tripinnatifid; lower pinnae opposite, deltoid-lanceolate, cut down to the rachis into several deltoid pinnules, the upper of which are ternately lobed, the lower cut down to the rachis below. sori continuous; involucres distinct and pale, membranous. Cape Colony, &c. Greenhouse.
P. longimucronata (long-mucronate). A synonym of P. mucronata.
P. mucronata (mucronate). sti. 2in. to 4in. long, tufted, erect, dark brown. fronds 3in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 3in. broad, deltoid, bipinnate; pinnae 1in. or more long, spreading or erecto-patent, rigid, with several distant, linear-oblong pinnules on each side, about 1/4in. long, with inrolled edges and a sharp, mucronate point. Involucres broad, coriaceous, rolled permanently over the sori. Mexico, &c., 1865. Nearly hardy. SYNS. P. longimucronata (H. S. F. 115A), P. Wrightiana (H. S. F. 115B).
P. ornithopus.* Bird's-foot Fern. sti. 3in. to 6in. long, tufted, rigid, dark chestnut-brown. fronds 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, deltoid, bipinnatifid; pinnae 1in. to 1 1/2in. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, rigid, spreading, with numerous, distantly-placed, sessile pinnae on each side, which are cut to the base into three linear, mucronate segments, of which the central one is the largest. Involucres broad, coriaceous, crenate, rolled permanently over the sori. California 1875. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 116A.) P. paradoxa (paradoxical). sti. 6in. to 9in. long, strong, erect, dark brown, sometimes slightly tomentose. fronds 6in. to 9in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, oblong, simply pinnate; pinnae four to six on each side, short-stalked, with a considerable space between them, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, lanceolate, entire, acute or bluntish, cordate or rounded at the base; rachis tomentose. sori in a marginal line, often 1/8in. broad, soon hiding the involucre. Australia. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 111A.) SYN. P. Brownii.
P. pulchella (pretty). sti. 2in. to 3in. long, wiry, erect, dark chestnut-brown, tufted. fronds 3in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 3in. broad, oblong, tripinnate; lower pinnae deltoid; pinnules lanceolate; ultimate segments very deciduous, oblong, blunt, about 1/8in. long and half as broad; edges of the fertile segments much inrolled. Involucres broad, permanently rolled over the sori. Andes of tropical America. Stove.
P. rotundifolia (round-leaved).* rhiz. stout, scaly, creeping. sti. 6in. to 12in. long, stout, erect, more or less pubescent and scaly. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, linear, simply pinnate; pinnae ten to twenty on each side, short-stalked, oblong or roundish, entire, obtuse or mucronate at the apex; rachis densely scaly and tomentose. sori in a broad, marginal line, soon hiding the involucre. New Zealand and Norfolk Island, 1841. Greenhouse. See Fig. 72.
P. sagittata (arrow-like). A variety of P. cordata.
P. Stelleri (Steller's). A synonym of P. gracilis.
P. ternifolia (ternate-leaved). sti. 2in. to 4in. long, strong, erect, dark chestnut-brown, densely fibrillose at base. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, lanceolate-linear, with six to twelve opposite pairs of pinnae, which are cleft nearly to the base into three linear, mucronate, rigid segments, with inrolled edges. Involucres formed out of the edge of the frond, rolled over the sori till they attain full maturity. Tropical America, 1841. Stove.
P. Wrightiana (Wright's). A synonym of P. mucronata.