HOLLY FERN.
(Polystichum lonchitis (L.) Roth.)

This fern is frequently found but it is not common in Mount Rainier National Park-at least by comparison with other species in the same genus. It is, however, one of our most beautiful plants. The common name by be accounted for by the appearance, shape and texture of the pinnae as well as their prickly margins which render them somewhat "holly-like". As to habitat it prefers the moist soils, often among boulders or rocks on the ground, in the woods or shaded locations of the middle elevations - upper Canadian and lower Hudsonian zones. Standley, in "Flora of Glacier National Park" states that it is found there above timberline under the shade of shrubs but it has not been observed thus on Mount Rainier. Locally it is found from about 2500'-5500'. It has a widespread botanical range including the area bounded by Alaska and Greenland southward to California, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nova Scotia. It is also widespread in Europe and Asia.

The Holly Fern is an evergreen species. Its fronds grow in an erect, widespreading tuft with individual fronds being approximately 6"-30" long, oblong-lanceolate in outline and from 1"-3" wide. The fronds are widest at or near the middle tapering toward both ends. The pinnae are of a leathery texture, oblong-lanceolate (except those near the base of the foliate portion which are triangular or fan-shaped) in outline and with sharply serrate edges, each serration barbed with a slender prickle. They are unequal at the base with (except those at the base) a conspicuous triangular ear-like lobe upon the upper edge. The leafstalk is stout, green and possessed of ridges near the base and having numerous brown scales along the entire length, these scales being most numerous near the base of the stem. The sori are round, conspicuous and arranged in a double row on the under surface of the pinnae; the round indusium is also conspicuous before maturity of the spores.

SYNONYMS: Polypodium lonchitis L.; Aspidium lonchitis Sw.

-oOo-

VANCOUVER FERN or BRISTLE FERN.
(Polystichum andersoni Hopkins)

This fern was first collected on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, by Mr. W. B. Anderson - hence the common and specific names of this plant. The term Bristle Fern, a second common name, is suggested by the appearance of the pinnules. It cannot be regarded as common in the park, though it is occasionally noted in the deep, moist woods of the Canadian zone. The specimens in the Park herbarium were collected in the vicinity of Longmire. Its habitat is similar to that of P. munitum, the Sword Fern. The botanical range includes Alaska southward to Montana and Washington. The local range has not been definitely determined though it occurs, no doubt, from the lower park boundaries to at least 3000 feet. The fronds are tufted; 16-40 inches long; 1-compound; lanceolate-oblong in outline and widest just below the middle being 3-8 inches wide at the widest part and tapering toward apex and base. Leafstalks with numerous brown scales and about 1/4 as long as the entire blade. Pinnae short stalked, lanceolate deeply cleft into numerous pinnules or segments - largest pair at the base of the pinnae; row of pinnules upon the upper side of the rachis being slightly larger than those on the lower side or both about equal size. Pinnules acute, decurrent with irregularly serrate margins of recurved teeth each tipped with a long slender barb. Spores borne in rather small round sori in pairs about midway between mid-vein and margin. Indusium/U> present. Rhizome stout.