12. H. ciliatum, Swartz, Syn. Fil. 147.—Usually epiphytical. Rhizome slender, creeping, 1–2 in. long. Fronds 2–6 in. long, 1–2 in. broad, ovate-oblong, acuminate, thin and membranous, 2–3-pinnatifid, more or less clothed with stalked branched or stellate hairs, which are most abundant on the margins. Stipes 1–2 in. long, winged above and ciliated; rhachis broadly winged throughout and also conspicuously ciliated with stellate hairs. Primary pinnæ oblong or rhomboidal, cut down to a broad central portion into numerous secondary divisions, which are simple or forked or irregularly pinnatifid. Ultimate segments linear, flat, obtuse, quite entire. Sori numerous, terminating the segments, more or less immersed. Indusium suborbicular, 2-valved half-way down; valves ciliated.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 747; Hook. and Bak. Syn. Fil. 63; Thomson, N.Z. Ferns, 43; Field, N.Z. Ferns, 64. H. Boryanum, Willd. Sp. Plant. v. 518; Hook. Sp. Fil. i. 89, t. 31c.
South Island: Nelson—Travers (Handbook).
An abundant plant throughout the whole of tropical America, from Cuba and Mexico to Chili; also in tropical Africa, Madagascar, and Mauritius. I have seen no New Zealand specimens, the plant not having been refound since its original discovery by Mr. Travers nearly forty years ago.
13. H. subtilissimum, Kunze, Anal. Pteridog. 50.—Forming dense mats on the stems of fern-trees and on tree-trunks, or on the perpendicular faces of shaded rocks. Rhizome long, slender, filiform, tomentose with reddish-brown hairs. Fronds 2–10 in. long, ¾–2 in. broad, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, acute or acuminate, very thin and membranous, yellow-brown or tawny, usually pendulous, 2–3-pinnatifid, everywhere clothed with copious silky stellate hairs. Stipes filiform, not winged; rhachis narrowly winged above, wingless below. Primary pinnæ short, erecto-patent, ovate-lanceolate, cuneate at the base; secondary irregularly pinnatifid or forked. Ultimate segments close, linear, obtuse, flat, quite entire. Sori numerous, small, terminal, sunk in the tips of the lateral segments. Indusium orbicular or broader than long, 2-valved almost to the base; valves rounded, copiously ciliated with stellate hairs.—Hook. and Baker Syn. Fil. 64; Field, N.Z. Ferns, 63, t. 15, f. 2. H. æruginosum, Hook. Sp. Fil. i. 94; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. ii. 15; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 355. H. Franklinianum, Col. in Tasmanian Journ. Nat. Sci. (1845) 23.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Damp forests from the Bay of Islands soouthwards, not uncommon, except on the east coast of the South Island, where it is rare and local. Sea-level to 2500 ft.
Also on the Island of Juan Fernandez and in Chili, and closely allied to the Tristan d'Acunha H. æruginosum, Carm., with which it was united by Sir J. D. Hooker.
