52 Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh.

Within this extremely variable, widespread species several subspecies and varieties are described, with more or less well-defined distribution (cf. Hultén Circumpol. I, p. 62). They are, however, not taken into consideration on this map. For subsp. dickieana (Sim) Hyl. see map no. 53. Outside the map area the species is reported from large parts of Africa, Ceylon, Australia, New Zealand and C. and S. America. The species s. lat. belongs to the circumpolar plants (Hultén, Circumpol. I, p. 62 and map 55).

53 Cystopteris fragilis subsp. dickieana (Sim) Hyl.

This widespread subspecies is distinguished only by spore morphology. The knowledge of its distribution is still incomplete. Outside the map area it occurs at least in C. and S. America. This subspecies belongs to the circumpolar plants (Hultén, Circumpol. I, p. 62 and map 56).