Schizaea
(from schizo, to split; in allusion to the fan-shaped or dichotomously-multifid fronds). Comb or Rush Fern. Including Actinostachys and Lophidium. ORD. Filices. A genus comprising about sixteen species of ornamental, stove, greenhouse, or hardy Ferns, widely diffused. Capsules sessile, two-valved, in two to four rows, covering one side of close, distichous spikes, which form separate fertile segments at the tips of the fronds. The introduced species are described below; they are rather difficult subjects to grow. A compost of rough peat and loam, ample drainage, and an abundance of water, are necessary. For general culture, see Ferns. S. bifida (twice-cleft).* sti. dense, chestnut-brown, passing gradually into the fronds, which are 6in. to 18in. long, forked generally below the middle, sometimes forked again, casually simple, very wiry and Rush-like, with a prominent, scabrous midrib and two narrow, thick wings; fertile segments sub-erect or recurved, unilateral, 1/2in. long, with ten to twenty erecto-patent spikes on each side. Australia, &c., 1822. Greenhouse. S. dichotoma (dichotomous). sti. 6in. to 18in. long, firm, erect, channelled on the face above. fronds fan-like, 6in. to 9in. each way, many times dichotomously forked, the ultimate divisions with one fertile segment to each; rachis with four to ten close-spreading spikes on each side. West Indies, &c. Stove.
S. digitata (digitate). sti. dense, 1in. to 2in. long, brownish, sub-terete, passing gradually into the fronds, which are 1ft. or more long, one to two lines broad, flattened, the midrib beneath prominent, crowned at the apex with six to fifteen sub-triquetrous, fertile spikes which are 1 1/2in. long. Malay Isles, &c. Stove. (H. G. F. 54.) S. elegans (elegant). sti. 6in. to 12in. long, firm, erect, naked. fronds V-shaped, 4in. to 8in. each way, dichotomously forked or cleft, the divisions varying greatly in number and breadth (1/4in. to 2in.); fertile segments copious, distinctly stalked, 1/4in. to 3/8in. long, the rachis often recurved, with six to fifteen close-spreading, linear-cylindrical spikes on each side. West Indies, &c., 1819. Stove. (H. G. F. 34.) latifolia is a form with broad fronds.
S. penicillata (pencil-like). A synonym of S. pennula. S. pennula (small-winged). sti. dense, 1in. to 2in. long, brownish, passing gradually into the fronds, which are 1ft. or more long, nearly one line thick, triquetrous, with three sharp angles, crowned at the apex with six to twelve sub-triquetrous, fertile spikes, which are 1/2in. to 1 1/2in. long, pilose beneath, with the capsules usually in four rows. South America, 1816. Stove. SYN. S. penicillata.
S. pusilla (dwarf). sti. dense. barren fronds much shorter than the fertile ones, much twisted and slightly flattened. fertile fronds 3in. to 4in. long, terete, wiry, very slender; fertile segments sub-erect, 1/4in. long, unilateral, with about six rather stout, erecto-patent spikes on each side, the lowest 1/8in. long. United States. Hardy in the South of England. S. rupestris (rock-loving).* sti. lax, about 1in. long, sub-terete, passing gradually into the fronds, which are grass-like and flattened, 3in. to 4in. long, one line broad, with a slender midrib; fertile segments pinnate, solitary, sub-erect, 1/4in. to 1/2in. long, with six to ten slender, spreading, serrated spikes on each side. Australia, 1822. Greenhouse.* (H. G. F. 42.)