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Polypodium (To the species and varieties)

To the species and varieties described on pp. 186-95, Vol. III., the following should now be added:

P. caudiceps (tail-headed). rhiz. long, slender, creeping. sti. slender, 2in. to 4in. long. fronds simple, glabrous, oblong-lanceolate, 6in. long, 1in. or rather more broad, tapered below to a narrow wing, the apex drawn out into a narrow, attenuated point or tail (hence the specific name). sori round, naked, produced on the lowest veinlet. Formosa, 1886. An elegant basket Fern. SYN. Goniophlebium caudiceps.

P. fossum (ditch-loving). rhiz. slowly creeping. fronds about 1ft. long, varying from linear-lanceolate to ovate, the edges sinuately toothed or lobed; lobes longer or shorter according to the breadth of the frond, simple or bifid, or in the broadest fronds multifidly flabellate, deep green above. sori large, roundish, sunk in deep cavities which form a line of bosses on the upper surface. 1882. A distinct and interesting, evergreen Fern, well adapted for basket culture. SYN. Pleopeltis fossa.

P. grandiceps (large-headed). fronds arising at intervals from a slender, creeping rhizome, simple, oblong-lanceolate, leathery, about 6in. long and 1in. broad, tapering below into a narrow wing. Formosa, 1885. A dwarf Fern, suitable for basket culture. SYN. Goniophlebium grandiceps. P. macrourum (long-tailed). This resembles P. Phymatodes in habit and size, but is distinguished by its long-tailed fronds, which are rhomboid-caudate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 6in. to 12in. broad, bright green, the lanceolate tail having its middle part pinnatifid. Queensland (?), 1886. P. Meyenianum (Meyen's). Bear's-paw Fern. rhiz. stout, with bright ferruginous scales 1/2in. long. fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad, the lower part cut nearly to the rachis into erecto-patent, linear-oblong, blunt, entire lobes, 3in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. broad, the upper part pinnate, with numerous close pinnae, 4in. to 8in. long, which consist only of a firm midrib with a row of small, round lobes on both sides, each with a sorus that covers it. Philippines. SYNS. Aglaomorpha Meyenianum, Drynarium Meyenianum, D. philippense (of gardens).

P. Picoti (Picot's). fronds numerous, arching, wavy, elongate-oblong, entire, coriaceous, 3ft. long or more, 4in. to 6in. broad, green and very shiny above, glaucous-green beneath. Brazil, 1886. A noble greenhouse Fern, of vigorous habit. (R. G. 1886, p. 206, f. 62.) P. vulgare variabile cristatum (variably crested). fronds irregularly branched, cornute, conglomerate. 1882. This is also known as glomeratum. P. Xiphias (swordfish). rhiz. stoutish, creeping, with brownish scales. fronds glabrous, more than 1ft. long, elliptic-oblong or somewhat obovate, caudate-cuspidate, narrowed below to the point of attachment; veins pinnate, reticulated. sori round, medium-sized, dotted over nearly the whole back of the frond. South Pacific Islands. The specific name refers to the shape of the fronds. SYN. Pleopeltis Xiphias.