Trichomanes
(the old Greek name used by Theophrastus, from thrix, trichos, a hair, and manos, soft; alluding to the delicate nature of the fronds). Bristle Fern. Including Feea, Hymenostachys. Involucraria, Lacostea, Lecanium, Microgonium, Phlebiophyllum. ORD. Filices. A genus comprising about 100 species of mostly stove Ferns, inhabiting tropical and temperate climates. Fronds varying from simple to decompound-multifid, membranous and pellucid, smooth or bearing simple, forked, or stellate hairs. Sori marginal, always terminating a vein, more or less sunk in the frond; involucre monophyllous, tubular, closely corresponding with the frond in texture, the mouth truncate or winged, or slightly two-lipped; receptacle filiform, elongated, often considerably exserted beyond the mouth of the involucre, capsuliferous principally at the base; capsules sessile, depressed, surrounded by an entire, broad, nearly transverse ring, bursting vertically. The introduced species are here described; except where otherwise stated, they need stove heat. They should be "grown in square, shallow pans and boxes, well-drained in the ordinary way, and having about 2in. of peat soil mixed with nearly half its bulk of sand and small broken potsherds; but soft sandstone is best. For the creeping sorts, the soil should be raised in the form of a mound; and for those that have long-extending rhizomes, if soft stone cannot be had, it is desirable to invert a pan or common deep pot, covering it with a layer of soil, as already explained, to which the plant will cling, and soon form a green hillock. Junks of wood answer the purpose, but in a moist, close, and warm atmosphere, Fungi and insects breed, and in a short time the wood decays, causing unnecessary disturbance of the whole mass of the plant" (J. Smith). See also Ferns.
T. achilleaefolium (Achillea-fronded). A synonym of T. rigidum. T. alatum (winged).* sti. tufted, 2in. to 4in. long, winged above. fronds 3in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 4in. broad, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, bi-tripinnatifid; main rachis winged throughout; pinnae lanceolate, acute, cut more than half-way to the rachis; lobes again often sharply toothed. sori two to twelve to a pinna, terminal on the segments, the mouth spreading. West Indies, 1824. Very variable in robustness and hairiness. SYN. T. attenuatum (H. S. F. i. 39c). Greenhouse.
T. anceps (double). A synonym of T. maximum.
T. angustatum (narrowed). A synonym of T. tenerum.
T. apiifolium (Apium-fronded).* sti. tufted, 4in. to 6in. long, strong, erect, fibrillose, the tuft densely so at the crown. fronds 9in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 8in. broad, ovate, quadripinnatifid; main rachis only slightly winged towards the apex; lower pinnae 4in. to 6in. long, 1in, to 1 1/2in. broad, lanceolate, acuminate; pinnules with numerous segments, which are again cut down into ultimate divisions about one line long. sori two to twelve to a pinnule; involucre short, turbinate. Philippine Islands, &c. SYN. T. meifolium. Greenhouse.
T. attenuatum (attenuated). A synonym of T. alatum.
T. auriculatum (eared). rhiz. strong, wide-creeping, tomentose. fronds nearly sessile, 6in. to 12in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, bipinnatifid; rachis wiry, very slightly winged thoughout or above only; pinnae short-stalked, ovate, rhomboidal, obliquely cuneate at base, irregularly pinnatifid half-way down or more, the lowest anterior lobes often considerably prolonged beyond the others. sori two to twelve to a pinna the mouth truncate. Japan, &c., 1871. SYN. T. dissectum.
T. Bancroftii (Bancroft's).* sti. 1in. to 2in. long, broadly winged to the base. fronds 3in. to 6in. long, 1in. broad, ovate-oblong, pinnatifid down to a broadly-winged rachis; segments oblong, blunt, crenate, either imbricated or with a small space between them. sori two to six to a pinna, the mouth rather dilated; receptacle long, filiform. Tropical America. See Fig. 93. (H. G. F. 56.) Greenhouse.
T. bipunctatum (two-dotted). rhiz. wide-creeping, tomentose, rather slender. sti. 1in. to 2in. long, naked, slightly winged above. fronds oblong-lanceolate or oblong-deltoid, 2in. to 3in. long, about 1in. broad, tripinnatifid, the rachis winged throughout; pinnae lanceolate, cut away on the lower side at the base; ultimate segments strap-shaped, 1/8in. to 1/6in. long. sori one or more to a pinna; involucre winged. Mauritius. SYN. T. Filicula. T. Bojeri (Bojer's). A synonym of T. cuspidatum.
T. botryoides (Botrys-like). cau. erect, tufted. barren fronds 2in. to 3in. long, 1in. or rather more broad, on very short stipes, pinnatifid to a slightly-winged rachis, with linear-oblong, deeply-toothed lobes, the apex rooting and copiously proliferous. fertile fronds on stipes 1in. to 2in. long, narrow-linear, the apex foliaceous. sori, lower ones stalked, usually free; upper ones connected at the base. Tropical America. SYN. Feea nana. T. brevisetum (short-bristled). A synonym of T. radicans. T. concinnum (neat). rhiz. filiform, tomentose. sti. three to four lines long, proliferous, winged upwards. fronds ovate, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, rounded at top, cuneate at base, bipinnatifid; lower pinnae flabellately pinnatifid, the lowest pinnules bifid. sori usually lateral, rarely terminal; involucre immersed. Tahiti.
T. crinitum (hairy). sti. tufted, one to three lines long, slender, villous. fronds 2in. to 8in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, ovate-lanceolate or linear-oblong, bipinnatifid; pinnae reaching nearly to the rachis, the lower ones ovate-oblong, cut about half-way down into broadly linear segments; surface slightly hairy; margins ciliated. sori one or two to a pinna, terminal, the mouth dilated. West Indies.
T. crispum (curled). rhiz. short or somewhat elongated, strong, tomentose. sti. scattered or tufted, 2in. to 6in. long, strong, tomentose. fronds 4in. to 12in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, lanceolate, fully pinnate or pinnatifid nearly to the rachis; lower pinnae 3/4in. to 1in. long, oblong, obtuse, spreading, or even deflexed often incurved and crisped; rachis clothed with reddish-brown hairs. sori one to eight placed round the apex of the pinnae, the mouth two-lipped; receptacle long, exserted. Tropical America, 1828. T. c. pilosum (pilose). fronds clothed with reddish hairs. 1863. T. curvatum (curved). A synonym of T. javanicum.
T. cuspidatum (cuspidate). fronds indistinctly but very shortly stalked, about 1/2in. broad, the outer edge rounded and more or less lobed, the base truncate or more or less cuneate. Involucres one to six, the tube sunk in the frond, the mouth dilated, but scarcely two-lipped. Mauritius. SYN. T. Bojeri. T. dissectum (dissected). A synonym of T. auriculatum. T. elongatum (lengthened). A variety of T. rigidum.
T. erosum (bitten). rhiz. thread-like. sti. filiform, 1/4in. to 1/2in long. fronds very variable in shape, lanceolate to semicircular, entire or repand-pinnatifid, 1in. to 2in. long, abundantly veined. sori one or many placed along the upper margin of the frond; involucre immersed, cylindrical, with a large, collar-like limb. Seychelles. SYN. T. muscoides. T. exsectum (scolloped). rhiz. wide-creeping, slender, tomentose. sti. slender, naked, 1in. to 3in. long. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, pendent, flaccid, lanceolate, tripinnatifid, the main rachis narrowly winged in the upper half; pinnae distant, flaccid, the upper ones often 3in. to 4in. long, the lower ones ovate or lanceolate, divided to a narrowly-winged rachis, with a few deeply-toothed or pinnatifid pinnules. sori one to four to a pinna, the mouth truncate. Chili.
T. Filicula (little Fern). A synonym of T. bipunctatum. T. fimbriatum (fringed). A synonym of T. superbum.
T. floribundum (bundle-flowered). A synonym of T. pinnatum. T. gemmatum (twin). rhiz. strong, wiry, tomentose, beset with numerous long, black fibres. sti. 1in. to 3in. long, naked, wiry, winged above. fronds 2in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, erect, rather rigid, ovate-oblong, bipinnatifid, the main rachis narrowly winged; pinnae erecto-patent, cut down to a narrowly-winged rachis; lower pinnules deeply forked; segments linear-filiform. sori one to eight to a pinna, minute, axillary, the tube stalked. South America.
T. Hartii (Dr. Hart's). cau. short, slender, sub-erect. sti. tufted, 2in. to 4in. long, winged in the upper part. fronds deltoid, 3in. to 6in. long, tripinnatifid, the main rachis distinctly winged; pinnae eight to twelve-jugate, crowded, sessile, all except the lowest lanceolate; lowest pair lanceolate, deltoid; ultimate segments oblong, obtuse, erecto-patent. sori usually only one to each secondary segment, except in the deeply-pinnatifid, large ones on the lower side of the lowest pair of pinnae. Sierra Leone, 1882. T. humile (dwarf). rhiz. creeping, deeply intermatted. sti. 1/4in. to 1/2in. long, slender, winged above. fronds 1in. to 2in. long, 1/2in. broad, bipinnatifid, lanceolate-oblong, cut down to a narrowly-winged rachis; segments pinnatifid, with simple or once-forked, linear lobes. sori solitary on the upper side of the pinnae, the tube more or less exserted, the mouth two-lipped. Java, &c.
T. incisum (cut). A synonym of T. sinuosum.
T. javanicum (Javan). cau. tufted, with numerous strong, wiry roots. sti. 1in. to 4in. long, wiry, erect, naked or villous. fronds 2in. to 8in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, once fully pinnate; lower pinnae often 1in. long, 1/4in. broad, obtuse or acute, finely toothed. sori one to four, placed in the axils of linear segments on the upper side of the pinnae; receptacle much exserted. India, Java, &c. SYNS. T. curvatum, T. rhomboideum. T. Kaulfussii (Kaulfuss'). rhiz. wide-creeping, strong, tomentose. sti. 2in. to 4in. long, strong, compressed, winged above. fronds 4in. to 12in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, once-pinnatifid down to a broadly-winged rachis; segments linear-oblong, rounded or acute, toothed, the largest 1in. long, 1/4in. broad; main rachis densely, and the surface slightly, hairy. sori two to twelve to a pinna, the tube more or less exserted; receptacle long, filiform. West Indies, 1862. T. Kraussii (Krauss').* rhiz. wide-creeping, tomentose. fronds sessile or nearly so, 1in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. broad, oblong, attenuated or cuneate at base, once deeply pinnatifid down to a broadly-winged rachis; lobes linear-oblong, nearly entire, or toothed or sinuate-pinnatifid. sori one to six on the apex of the frond, the tube more or less exserted, the mouth with two large lips. West Indies. See Fig. 94. Greenhouse. T. labiatum (lipped). fronds variable in shape, roundish and cordate at one or both ends, or sub-ovate and narrowed at base and apex, pellucid dark green; fertile ones with a distinct midrib. sori confined to the apex, usually one, rarely two to four; involucres tubular, free or slightly sunk, with tufts of hairs on the margined sides; lips large, expanded and rounded. British Guiana, 1885.
T. Luschnatianum (Luschnat's). A variety of T. radicans. T. maximum (greatest).* rhiz. stout, creeping. sti. strong, erect, 3in. to 6in. long. fronds 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, ovate, quadripinnatifid; pinnae erecto-patent, ovate-lanceolate, the largest 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. broad; pinnules lanceolate-deltoid, 1in. or more long, cut down to the rachis into segments, which are again deeply pinnatifid; ultimate segments 1/8in. to 1/6in. long. sori two to eight to a pinnule; involucre cylindrical, the mouth two-lipped. Java, 1863. SYN. T. anceps (H. S. F. i. 40c, 3). Greenhouse.
T. meifolium (Spignel-leaved). A synonym of T. apiifolium. T. membranaceum (membranous). fronds sub-sessile, membranous, sub-orbicular, 2in. to 3in. broad, more or less deeply cut from the circumference towards the centre; lobes broad, rounded, or narrow, the margin fringed with a double series of peltate scales. Involucres numerous, placed round the edge of the frond, the tube sunk, the mouth two-lipped. Tropical America. (H. E. F. 76.) T. muscoides (Moss-like). A synonym of T. erosum.
T. obscurum (obscure). A synonym of T. rigidum.
T. parvulum (rather small). rhiz. wide-creeping, interlaced. sti. 1in. long, wiry, slender, tomentose below. fronds 1/4in. to 1/2in. each way, orbicular, flabellately cut about half-way down from the outer edge towards the base into narrow, irregular segments. sori four to six, terminal on the central segments. Japan and China, &c. Greenhouse. (H. S. F. 39A.) T. Petersii (Peters'). sti. one to two lines long. fronds 1/4in. to 1/2in. long, linear to obovate-spathulate, crenate or slightly lobed. sori solitary, terminal, the tube sunk in the frond, the mouth much dilated, but entire. United States, 1875. Greenhouse.
T. pinnatinerva (pinnate-nerved). rhiz. dark, tomentose, thread-like. sti. a quarter to one line long. fronds scattered, ovate, two to three and a-half lines long, one to two lines broad, pellucid, clear, bright green. British Guiana, 1886. A very minute Filmy Fern.
T. pinnatum (pinnate). cau. erect, tufted. sti. strong, wiry, erect, naked or slightly hairy, 3in. to 12in. long. fronds simply pinnate in the typical state, 4in to 18in. long, 3in. to 12in. broad, the apex often rooting and proliferous; pinnae in two to ten opposite or alternate pairs and a terminal one, 2in. to 6in. long, linear, obtuse or acute, sharply and finely toothed, the upper edge usually free from the stem at the base, the under one attached and often furnished with a broad, decurrent wing. sori placed all round the pinnae; receptacle long, exserted. Tropical America, 1825. SYN. T. floribundum.
T. Pluma (feathery). rhiz. short-creeping, clothed with bright brown scales. sti. 2in. to 4in. long, terete, wiry. fronds lanceolate, 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1 1/4in. broad, decompound; rachis stiff, terete throughout; pinnae crowded, twenty to thirty-jugate, spreading, less than 1/2in. broad; lower pinnules sparsely pinnatifid, cut into distant, bristle-like, dichotomously-forked lobes, 1/8in. to 1/4in. long. sori few, placed near the base of the upper pinnae; receptacle very long. Malay Isles. T. punctatum (dotted). fronds stalked or sub-sessile, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, sub-orbicular or obovate, undulated or slightly lobed at the margin. sori one to four, placed on the outer edge of the frond and more or less exserted, the mouth distinctly two-lipped. Tropical America.
T. pusillum (dwarf). rhiz. wide-creeping, tomentose. fronds nearly sessile, 2in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. broad, oblong or obovate, cuneate-attenuated below, once deeply pinnatifid down to a broadly-winged rachis; lobes linear or oblong, toothed or deeply pinnatifid. sori one to four round the apex of the frond, the tube exserted, the mouth with two large, rounded lobes. Tropical America. SYN. T. quercifolium.
T. pyxidiferum (box-bearing).* rhiz. wide-creeping, tomentose, rather slender. sti. 1in. to 2in. long, naked, winged above. fronds 1in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, ovate-oblong, tripinnatifid, the main rachis very narrowly winged; pinnae ovate-rhomboidal, pinnatifid to the rachis, the lower pinnules again deeply pinnatifid; ultimate segments often emarginate at apex. sori one to four to a pinna, axillary, the tube more or less winged; receptacle filiform, exserted. Tropical America. Greenhouse.
T. quercifolium (Oak-fronded). A synonym of T. pusillum. T. radicans (rooting).* Cup Goldilocks; Killarney Fern. rhiz. wiry, wide-creeping, tomentose, sti. strong, wiry, ascending, 2in. to 6in. long, naked or nearly so, the upper part sometimes winged. fronds 4in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 6in. broad, tripinnatifid, the main rachis very narrowly winged, often free, except near the apex; lower pinnae 1in. to 4in. long, ovate-rhomboidal, cut down to a narrowly-winged rachis; pinnules again deeply pinnatifid, ovate-rhomboidal, with deeply-toothed lower segments. sori lateral, one to four to a pinnule, the tube small, more or less exserted; receptacle slender, elongated. Europe (Britain). Hardy. SYN. T. brevisetum. T. r. Andrewsii (Andrews'). fronds deep green, narrow-lanceolate; pinnae more distant than in the species, narrower and erect. A distinct and handsome, hardy, Irish variety.
T. r. dilatatum (dilated). fronds very dark green, much less divided than in the type; pinnae and pinnules broadly winged. Hardy. T. r. Luschnatianum (Luschnat's). fronds lanceolate, acuminate, quite sessile. Brazil. Stove.
T. reniforme (kidney-shaped). sti. 4in. to 8in. long, naked, wiry. fronds orbicular-reniform, entire, with a deep sinus at the base, 2in. to 4in. broad. sori often encircling the whole of the outer margin; receptacle much exserted, stout, and covered with capsules. New Zealand. Greenhouse. T. reptans (creeping). sti. 1/4in. long. fronds 1/4in. to 1/2in. each way, obovate-cuneate, often with short, blunt lobes. sori one to four, placed on the outer margin, the tube partially or quite exserted, the mouth distinctly two-lipped. Tropical America. This is very closely allied to T. punctatum. T. rhomboideum (rhomboid). A synonym of T. javanicum. T. rigidum (rigid).* sti. tufted, erect, wiry, 2in. to 8in. long, naked or very slightly winged above. fronds 2in. to 8in. long, 2in. to 6in. broad, deltoid or ovate, acuminate, tri--or quadri-pinnatifid, the main rachis usually only slightly winged towards the top; lower pinnae 2in. to 3in. long, erecto-patent, ovate or lanceolate-rhomboid, cut down to a rachis which is very narrowly winged throughout or free below; pinnules deeply pinnatifid, with deeply-toothed or even pinnatifid, linear lobes. sori two to twelve to a pinnule, small, axillary, the tube more or less exserted. New Zealand, &c. Stove or greenhouse. SYNS. T. achilleaefolium, T. obscurum. T. r. elongatum (lengthened). fronds deltoid, with broader segments; pinnae and pinnules often imbricated.
T. rufum (reddish). sti. (and under side of the fronds) most profusely covered with long, rufous, woolly hairs. fronds pale green above, about 10in. long and 1 1/2in. broad, pinnate; pinnae overlapping each other, the veins exserted at their tips. Demerara. A very rare, distinct, erect-growing Fern. T. saxatile (rock-loving). sti. terete, hairy. fronds tufted, triangular-ovate, pinnate below; pinnae bipinnatifid, the upper ones decurrent; pinnules ovate, the margins more or less decurved, giving the surface a pretty, undulating character; ultimate segments broad, short, obtuse-pointed. Involucres cylindrical, supra-axillary, slightly two-lipped. Borneo, 1862. A dwarf but very pretty species.
T. scandens (climbing). rhiz. wiry, wide-creeping. sti. strong, erect, naked, 2in. to 4in. long. fronds 6in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad, fully pinnate, or the hairy rachis very slightly winged above, ovate, acuminate; lower pinnae ovate-lanceolate, nearly pinnate, 2in. to 4in. long; pinnules divided down to a narrow wing; segments again pinnatifid about half-way down; margins finely hairy. sori one to four to a pinnule, the mouth with two lateral projections. Mexico, &c., 1862.
T. Sellowianum (Sellow's). sti. clothed with short hairs. fronds bright green, linear-lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid; segments oblong. obtuse, waved at the edges, where there are a few hairs. Brazil. An extremely rare plant in cultivation.
T. setigerum (bristle-bearing). sti. quite terete, 2in. to 6in. long, furnished with hair-like scales. fronds tufted, 9in. to 15in. long, linear or linear-lanceolate, pinnate, smooth, curving; pinnae bipinnatifid; palmate; ultimate segments elongated and very narrow, almost capillary, the lower ones incurved, sub-erect. Involucres supra-axillary, small, subcylindrical, terminal on a narrow segment. Borneo, 1862.
T. sinuosum (waved). rhiz. wide-creeping, sinuous, rather strong. sti. varying from hardly any to 2in. long. fronds 2in. to 9in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, linear-lanceolate, very gradually decurrent below, pinnatifid down to a broadly--winged rachis; lobes oblong, obtuse, crenate--margined. sori two to four to each lobe; receptacle much exserted. Tropical America. SYN. T. incisum.
T. spicatum (spicate). cau. erect, tufted. barren fronds 4in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, on stipes 1in. to 2in. long, pinnatifid nearly to the rachis, the apex not rooting; segments inciso-crenate, linear-oblong. fertile fronds composed of a rachis and two rows of sori, without any connecting membrane. West Indies. (H. G. F. 60.) SYN. Feea polypodina. T. superbum (superb). rhiz. strong, wide-creeping. sti. 2in. to 5in. long, strong, winged nearly down to the base. fronds 4in. to 9in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad, broadly ovate, pinnatifid down to a narrowly-winged rachis; lower pinnae lanceolate, divided more than half way to the rachis, with oblong, crenate lobes. sori two to six to each lobe; receptacle long, filiform. Trinidad, 1863. SYN. T. fimbriatum.
T. tenerum (slender). rhiz. creeping, tomentose, very slender. sti. 1in. to 2in. long, slender, naked. fronds 3in. to 8in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, pendent, flaccid, lanceolate, tripinnatifid, the main rachis only very slightly winged towards the apex; pinnae distant, flaccid, cut down to a narrowly-winged rachis, with distant, deeply--incised or pinnatifid pinnules; ultimate segments about two lines long. sori one to four to a pinna, the tube exserted. Tropical America. SYN. T. angustatum.
T. trichoideum (hair-like).* rhiz. creeping, slender. sti. 1in. to 2in. long, very slender, naked. fronds 4in. to 8in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, pendent, flaccid, lanceolate, tripinnatifid, the main rachis only slightly winged at the apex; pinnae flaccid, 1in. to 2in. long, the rachis only winged above; pinnules deeply cut, with distant, linear-filiform segments one to two lines long. sori one to four to a pinna, the tube exserted, sometimes stalked. West Indies, 1862. Greenhouse.
T. trichophyllum (hair-fronded). sti. densely tufted, wiry, terete, 1in. to 2in. long. fronds 2in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, oblong, decompound; rachis stiff, terete throughout; pinnae twelve to fifteen-jugate, much imbricated, many of them deltoid, 1/2in. broad; lower pinnules copiously pinnatifid; ultimate divisions bristle-like, 1/8in. to 1/4in. long, spreading in all directions. sori copious, free, placed near the base of the pinnules on the upper side. Borneo and New Caledonia, 1862.
T. venosum (veined). rhiz. slender, wide-creeping. sti. 1in. to 2in. long, very slender, naked. fronds 2in. to 5in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, pinnatifid, the main veins free in the lower half, broadly winged above; lower pinnae about 6in. long, varying from linear and nearly simple to lauceolate and deeply pinnatifid below. sori only one to a pinna, axillary on the upper margin, the tube slightly two-lipped. Australia and New Zealand. Greenhouse.
