ASPIDIUM (from aspidion, a little buckler; in allusion to the form of the involucre). Shield Fern. ORD. Filices. Including Cyclodium, Cyclopeltis, Cyrtomium, Phanerophlebia, and Polystichum. Stove, greenhouse, or hardy ferns. Sori sub-globose, dorsal or terminal on the veinlets; involucre orbicular, fixed by the centre. They thrive in a compost of sandy peat with a little loam. Several species are admirably adapted for the indoor fernery. The hardy species are best grown in the shade; a little sandstone should be incorporated with the soil. For general culture, see Ferns. ASPIDIUM acrostichoides (Acrostichum-like).* sti. 6in. to 8in. long, densely scaly below. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 2in. to 6in. broad; pinnae of the lower half barren, 2in. to 3in. long, 1/4in. broad, spinoso-serrated throughout, auricled at the base above; the pinnae of the upper half fertile, much smaller. sori occupying the whole under side. North America. SYN. Polystichum acrostichoides. Hardy. ASPIDIUM acrostichoides grandiceps (large-crested).* A very handsome fern, having the apices of the fronds and pinnae heavily crested; equally desirable for the hardy or temperate fernery. Of garden origin. ASPIDIUM acrostichoides incisum (incised).* A variety with the pinnules deeply cut and acutely pointed. ASPIDIUM aculeatum (sharp-pointed).* The Hard Shield Fern. sti. tufted, 6in. to 12in. long, more or less scaly. fronds 1ft. to 3ft.long, 6in. to 12in. broad, ovate-lanceolate; lower pinnae close, lanceolate, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad; pinnules ovate-rhomboidal, unequal sided, auricled on the upper base; teeth aristate. sori nearer the midrib than the edge. A variable and hardy species, common throughout the world. SYN. Polystichum aculeatum. ASPIDIUM a. proliferum is a proliferous Australian form. ASPIDIUM a. vestitum has the rachis densely clothed to the point, both with reddish-brown fibrillose and large lanceolate dark brown scales. ASPIDIUM amabile (lovely). sti. scattered, 6in. to 12in. long, slightly scaly below. fronds 1ft. or more long, 6in. to 12in. broad, with a lanceolate terminal pinna, and three to six lateral ones on each side, which are 3in. to 6in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the lowest sometimes divided at the base; segments sub-rhomboidal, with at least half the lower side cut away, the upper side and part of the lower lobed and sharply spinuloso-serrated. sori sub-marginal. Ceylon. Stove species. SYN. Polystichum amabile. ASPIDIUM angulare (angular). The Soft Shield Fern. Botanically this is only a variety of ASPIDIUM aculeatum; but, to the cultivator, it is abundantly distinct. The fronds are not so tapered at the base, the pinnules are more equal in size, and the lower ones distinctly stalked, while the texture is much less rigid than in ASPIDIUM aculeatum, the caudex has a tendency to elongate. Almost cosmopolitan in its distribution. SYN. Polystichum angulare. There are an enormous number of varieties, many of which are not under cultivation. Amongst the best found in gardens are alatum, Bayliae, concinnum, corymbiferum, cristatum, curtum, dissimile, grandiceps, imbricatum, Kitsoniae, lineare, parvissimum, plumosum, polydactylon, proliferum, rotundatum, Wakeleyanum, Woollastoni. ASPIDIUM angulare grandiceps (large-crested). This is a narrow-fronded variety, having the apices of the fronds branched and crested, ultimately producing a broad tasselled head. A very handsome fern. ASPIDIUM anomalum (anomalous). sti. tufted, 1ft. to 2ft. long, densely scaly below. fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. or more broad; lower pinnae 6in. to 9in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; pinnules lanceolate, cut down in the lower part into oblong segments; teeth blunt or slightly mucronate. sori placed near the sinuses of the pinnules. Ceylon. Stove species. SYN. Polystichum anomalum. ASPIDIUM aristatum (awned).* rhiz. creeping. sti. scattered, 9in. to 18in. long, very scaly below. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 9in. to 12in. broad, ovate-deltoid, tri-or quadripinnatifid; lower pinnae largest, 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; lowest pinnules much the largest, lanceolate-deltoid; teeth copious aristate. sori small, principally in two rows near the midrib. Japan, Himalayas, New South Wales, &c. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum aristatum. ASPIDIUM aristatum coniifolium (Conium-leaved).* fronds more finely divided; segments copiously toothed, with lower lobes distinct. ASPIDIUM aristatum variegatum (variegated).* A handsome variety, with a broad band of green running through the bases of the pinnules along the course of the rachis. ASPIDIUM auriculatum (eared).* sti. tufted, 4in. to 6in. long, scaly below or throughout. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad; pinnae numerous, sub-sessile, usually close, 1in. to 2in. long, about 1/2in. broad, ovate-rhomboidal, falcate, acute, spinoso-serrated, the upper base auricled, the lower one truncate. sori in two rows. India, widely distributed. Stove species. SYNS. ASPIDIUM ocellatum. Polystichum auriculatum. ASPIDIUM auriculatum lentum (pliant). Pinnae cut into oblong mucronate lobes about half-way down to the rachis, the auricle sometimes quite free. ASPIDIUM auriculatum marginatum (margined).* A variety with more coriaceous texture; upper edge of the pinnae slightly lobed. ASPIDIUM capense (Cape).* sti. scattered, 1ft. to 2ft. long, densely scaly below. fronds 1ft. to 3ft. long, 12in. to 18in. broad, sub-deltoid; lowest pinnae the largest, 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad; pinnules and segments lanceolate, the latter bluntly lobed. sori very large and copious. South America, New Zealand, Cape Colony, Natal, &c. Greenhouse species. SYNS. ASPIDIUM coriaceum, Polystichum capense. ASPIDIUM confertum (compressed). Synonymous with ASPIDIUM meniscioides. ASPIDIUM coriaceum (leathery). Synonymous with ASPIDIUM capense. ASPIDIUM cristatum (crested). A synonym of Nephrodium cristatum. ASPIDIUM falcatum (hooked).* sti. tufted, 6in. to 12in. long, densely scaly below. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, simply pinnate; pinnae numerous, the lower stalked, ovate-acuminate, falcate, 3in. to 5in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad; edge entire or slightly undulated, the upper side narrowed suddenly, sometimes auricled, the lower rounded or obliquely truncate at the base. sori small, copious, scattered. Japan, China, Himalayas, &c. SYN. Cyrtomium falcatum. ASPIDIUM falcatum caryotideum (Caryota-like) has pinnae sometimes larger, sharply toothed, slightly lobed, sometimes auricled on both sides. SYN. Cyrtomium caryotideum. ASPIDIUM falcatum Fortunei (Fortune's).* This differs from the type in having pinnae narrower and more opaque. All are most useful house ferns, and quite hardy in many parts of the country. SYN. Cyrtomium Fortunei. ASPIDIUM falcinellum (finely-hooked).* sti. tufted, 4in. to 8in. long, densely scaly. fronds 9in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad; central pinnae 2in. to 3in. long, 1/4in, broad; point acute; edge finely serrated; the upper side bluntly auricled, the lower obliquely truncate at the base. sori in two long rows. Madeira. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum falcinellum. ASPIDIUM flexum (bending). rhiz. stout, wide-creeping. sti, scattered, 1ft. long, scaly, fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 9in. to 12in. broad; lower pinnae lanceolate-deltoid, 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 4in. broad; pinnules lanceolate-deltoid, cut down to the rachis below into oblong bluntly-lobed segments. sori large, in two rows, copious. Juan Fernandez. Stove species. SYN. Polystichum flexum. ASPIDIUM foeniculaceum (Fennel-leaved).* rhiz. creeping, sti. scattered, 6in. to 12in. long, densely scaly below. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, and 9in. to 12in. broad, lanceolate-deltoid, four to five pinnatifid; lower pinnae 6in. to 8in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad; ultimate divisions linear, awned, with a firm texture. sori solitary. Greenhouse species. Sikkim, 7,000ft. to 10,000ft. SYN. Polystichum foeniculaceum. ASPIDIUM frondosum (leafy). sti. scattered, 1ft. to 2ft. long, densely scaly below. fronds 18in. to 24in. long, 1ft. or more broad, sub-deltoid; lower pinnae much the largest, long stalked; pinnules lanceolate; segments very unequal sided, pinnatifid, with rounded mucronate lobes, obliquely truncate at the base below. sori large, copious. Madeira. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum frondosum. ASPIDIUM Hookeri (Hooker's). sti. 1ft. or more long, naked, fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long; pinnae 6in. to 8in. long, 1in. broad, cut down to a broadly-winged rachis into nearly close, spreading, entire, linear-oblong lobes 1/2in. broad. sori nearer the edge than the midrib. Malay Archipelago. Stove species. SYNS. ASPIDIUM nephrodioides and Cyclodium Hookeri. ASPIDIUM laserpitiifolium (Laserpitium-leaved).* sti. 4in. to 6in. long, stramineous, scaly at base. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, ovate-deltoid, tripinnate; lower pinnae the largest, with pinnules on the lower side prolonged, lanceolate, imbricated with small, distinct, bluntly-lobed segments. sori in two rows, very copious. Japan. A very desirable greenhouse species. SYNS. Lastrea Standishii (of gardens) and Polystichum laserpitiifolium. ASPIDIUM lepidocaulon (scaly-stemmed). sti. tufted, 6in. to 9in. long, densely clothed with large cordate scales. fronds 1ft. or more long, 4in. to 6in. broad, sometimes elongated and rooting at the point: pinnae 2in. to 3in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, lanceolate-falcate, the two sides unequal, the upper one auricled at the base. sori principally in two rows, near the midrib. Japan. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum lepidocaulon. ASPIDIUM Lonchitis (spar-like).* The Holly Fern. sti. densely tufted, 1in. to 4in. long, scaly at base. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 1in. to 3in. broad, pinnate throughout; pinnae 1/2in. to 1 1/2in. long, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, ovate-rhomboidal, sub-falcate, the two sides unequal. point mucronate, edge spinuloso-serrated, the upper side sharply auricled at the base, the lower obliquely truncate. Britain, &c. A very widely-spread hardy species. SYN. Polystichum Lonchitis. ASPIDIUM meniscioides (Meniscium-like). sti. 1ft. to 2ft. long, scaly below. fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. or more broad, pinnate; barren pinnae sessile, 6in. to 9in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, oblong-acuminate, nearly entire; fertile pinnae much smaller. sori in two close rows between the primary veins. West Indies, &c. Stove species. SYNS. ASPIDIUM confertum and Cyclodium meniscioides. ASPIDIUM mohrioides (Mohria-like). sti. tufted, 2in. to 6in. long, more or less densely scaly. fronds 6in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, bipinnate; pinnae numerous, frequently imbricated, lanceolate, cut down below into slightly toothed, oblong-rhomboidal pinnules. sori copious. Patagonia and the Cordilleras of Chili. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum mohrioides. ASPIDIUM mucronatum (mucronated).* sti, tufted, 2in. to 4in. long, densely scaly. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, pinnate throughout; pinnae very numerous, often imbricated, 3/4in. to 1in. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad, sub-rhomboidal, unequal-sided, mucronate, sub-entire, distinctly auricled at the upper base. sori in a long row on each side the midrib. West Indies. Stove or greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum mucronatum. ASPIDIUM munitum (armed).* sti. tufted, 4in. to 9in. long, densely scaly. fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 8in. broad; pinnae close, 2in. to 4in. long, about 1/2in. broad, acuminate, finely spinulose and serrated throughout, the upper side auricled, and the lower obliquely truncate at the base. sori in two rows near the edge. California, &c. Hardy; very fine. SYN. Polystichum munitum. ASPIDIUM nephrodioides (Nephrodium-like). Synonymous with ASPIDIUM Hookeri. ASPIDIUM ocellatum (spotted). Synonymous with ASPIDIUM auriculatum. ASPIDIUM polyblepharum (many-fringed). A synonym of ASPIDIUM angulare. ASPIDIUM pungens (stinging). rhiz. stout. sti. scattered, 1ft. long, scaly below only. fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 9in. to 12in. broad; lower pinnae 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; pinnules ovate-rhomboidal, unequal-sided, often deeply pinnatifid. sori principally in two rows near the midrib. Cape Colony. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum pungens. ASPIDIUM repandum (wavy-leaved). sti. 1ft. to 2ft. long, naked. fronds 2ft. or more long, 12in. to 18in. broad, apex deeply pinnatifid, with linear-oblong, slightly sinuated lobes; lower pinnae four to eight on each side, 6in. to 8in. long, 1 1/4in. to 1 1/2in. broad, acuminate; edge bluntly sinuated, the lowest stalked and forked. sori in two distinct rows near the main vein. Philippines. Stove species. ASPIDIUM rhizophyllum (frond-rooting). sti. tufted, 1in. to 2in. long, slender. fronds 2in. to 6in. long, 3/4in. broad, with the long, narrow upper half of the frond lengthened out and rooting, the lower half cut down to a flattened fibrillose rachis into oblong-rhomboidal sub-entire lobes about 1/2in. broad, 1/4in. deep. sori scattered. Jamaica, 1820. Stove or cool house species. SYN. Polystichum rhizophyllum. ASPIDIUM semicordatum (half-cordate). sti. scattered, 6in. to 12in. long. fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 8in. to 12in. broad, simply pinnate; pinnae spreading, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, nearly entire, acuminate, cordate or truncate at the base. sori in one to three rows on each side, the inner one close to the midrib. Tropical America, &c. SYN. Polystichum semicordatum. ASPIDIUM trapezioides (Trapezium-like). Synonymous with ASPIDIUM viviparum. ASPIDIUM triangulum (triangular).* sti. tufted, 2in. to 6in. long, base scaly. fronds 1ft. or more long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad; pinnae numerous, sessile, lower ones distant, central ones 3/4in. to 1in. long, about 5/8in. broad, sub-deltoid, lower side obliquely truncate; apex mucronate, edge sub-entire or slightly lobed, with blunt or spinose teeth, one or both sides auricled at the base. sori principally in two rows near the edge. West Indies. Stove or greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum triangulum. ASPIDIUM triangulare laxum (loose). fronds long and very narrow, somewhat drooping. SYN. Polystichum xiphioides. ASPIDIUM trifoliatum (three-leaved). sti. tufted, 1ft. or more long, base only scaly. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 6in. to 12in. broad, with a large ovate-acuminate terminal pinna, narrowed or forked at the base, and one or two lateral ones on each side, the lowest mostly forked. sori in rows near the main veins. Tropical America. Stove species. ASPIDIUM trifoliatum heracleifolium (Heracleum-leaved). A form with pinnae pinnatifid on both sides at the base. ASPIDIUM tripteron (three-winged). sti. 6in. to 9in. long, densely scaly at base. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, with a large terminal and two small spreading lateral pinnae at the base of it, the former 2 1/2in. to 3in. broad, with very numerous spreading pinnules on each side, 1 1/2in. long, about 1/2in. broad, unequal sided, acute, deeply inciso-pinnatifid, the lower lobes again toothed; lateral pinnae 3in. to 5in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad. sori principally in two rows midway between midrib and edge. Japan. Greenhouse species. SYN. Polystichum tripteron. ASPIDIUM varium (variable).* rhiz. sub-creeping. sti. 6in. to 12in. long, densely fibrillose below. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 9in. to 12in. broad, lanceolate-deltoid; lower pinnae much the largest, sub-deltoid, unequal sided, 4in. to 6in. long, 3in. to 4in. broad; pinnules lanceolate, imbricated, with oblong, blunt, slightly toothed segments. sori principally in two rows near the midrib. Japan. Greenhouse species. SYNS. Lastrea varia and Polystichum varium. It is frequently met with in gardens under the former name. ASPIDIUM viviparum (bud-producing). sti. tufted, 4in. to 6in. long, scaly at the base. fronds 12in. to 18in. long, 4in. to 6in. broad; pinnae numerous, nearly lanceolate, the central ones 2in. to 3in. long, about 1/2in. broad, mucronate, sometimes bud-bearing, the edge more or less deeply lobed, in the lower part sometimes quite down to the rachis, the upper side auricled. sori in two or four rows. West Indies. Stove or greenhouse species. SYNS. ASPIDIUM trapezioides and Polystichum viviparum.