Ophioglossum vulgatum

Ophioglossum vulgatum
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Ophioglossales
Family:	Ophioglossaceae
Genus:	Ophioglossum
Species:	O. vulgatum
Binomial name
Ophioglossum vulgatum L.

Ophioglossum vulgatum, commonly known as adder's-tongue,^[1] southern adders-tongue or adders-tongue fern, is a species of fern in the family Ophioglossaceae.^[2]

Distribution[]

It is native to many regions with a wide scattered distribution: throughout temperate through tropical Africa; and throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe, northeastern North America, temperate Asia, and Eurasia.^[2][3]

This small, hard-to-spot plant can occur singly in unimproved pastures, rock crevices and grassy path-sides, but also can occur in colonies of hundreds of plants in sand dunes.^{[citation needed]}

Growing in sand-dunes on Anglesey

Description[]

Ophioglossum vulgatum grows from a rhizome base to 10–20 cm tall (rarely to 30 cm). It consists of a two-part frond, separated into a rounded diamond-shaped sheath and narrow spore-bearing spike. The spike has around 10-40 segments on each side.

It reproduces by means of spores.

Rarity[]

This species is rare in most European countries. In Ukraine, there were recorded 280 loci: 152 before 1980, after 1980 – 120, as before and after 1980 – 8 locations.^[4]

Uses[]

Traditional European folk use of leaves and rhizomes as a poultice for wounds. This remedy was sometimes called the "Green Oil of Charity". A tea made from the leaves was used as a traditional European folk remedy for internal bleeding and vomiting.^[5]

References[]

• West Highland Flora (U.K.): Ophioglossum vulgatum

External links[]

• USDA Plants Profile for Ophioglossum vulgatum