[Illustration: Varieties of Lady Fern Left to right--1st and 2nd, Var.
_typicum; 3d, elatius; 4th, rubellum; 5th, uncertain, perhaps confertum_]

Var. RUBÉLLUM has the sori distinct even when mature; its pinnules stand
at a wide angle from the rachis of the pinna and are strongly toothed
or pinnatifid with obtuse teeth. This variety favors regions with cool
summers, or dense shade in warmer regions. The term RUBÉLLUM alludes to
the reddish stems so often seen but this sign alone may not determine the
variety. It occurs throughout the range of the species, being a common
New England fern. Fernald remarks that this is also a common form of the
species in southern Nova Scotia.

Among other varieties named by Butters are CONFÉRTUM, having the pinnules
irregularly lobed and toothed; joined by a membranous wing, the lobes of
the pinnules broad and overlapping, giving the fern a compact appearance;
LACINIÀTUM with pinnules very irregular in size and shape, with many long,
acute teeth, which project in various directions. "An abnormal form which
looks as if it had been nibbled when young."

These varieties are represented in the Gray Herbarium.

(2) THE LOWLAND LADY FERN

ATHÝRIUM ASPLENIÒIDES

Rootstocks creeping, not densely covered with the persistent bases of the
fronds. Stipes about as long as the blade. Scales of the stipe very few,
seldom persistent, rarely over 3-16 of an inch long. Fronds narrowly
deltoid, lanceolate, widest near the base, the second pair of pinnæ
commonly longest. Indusia ciliate, the cilia (hairs) ending in glands.