PTERIS CRETICA, V a r . A l b o -l in e a t a .
H o o k e r .
P L .V T E X X V .
P teris bicolor, L o n d o n N u r s e b y m e n .
P f em —Brake. Crética—Cretan. Alho-lineata—White-lined.
T i i e u e are now several variegated-fronded Ferns in cultivation.
W e have already described and figured Pte ris aspericaulis,
var. tricolor, a magnificent Fern , requiring careful attention,
and a close warm stove; and Pteris argyrea, another beautiful
F e rn , of large size, b u t only bearing a few fronds at the same
time; and now we have the Pteris cretica, var. alho-lineata,
which, with very little management, produces a handsome
specimen.
Introduced into E ngland in 1860, having been received from
the Botanic Gardens of Java.
Very dwarf in habit, bearing from thirty to fifty fronds at
the same time, which remain for a length of time in perfection.
The sterile fronds are smaller than the fertile ones, and the
pinnæ are broader, the former being from eight to twelve
inches, and the latter from fourteen to twenty inches long.
The form is the same as in the P te ris cretica, being p in nate,
with usually three pairs of lanceolate-sessile pinnæ, and
a terminal much larger one. The longer pair of pinnæ are
bifid, producing on their lower side a secondary pinnule of
about one h a lf of their own length, the nex t pair sometimes
producing on their lower side a lobe.
The sterile fronds, as well as the sterile portion of the
fertile fronds, are spinulosc-sorrate.