Ophioglossum lusitanicum

Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum lusitanicum L.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/115416

Adders tongue

Rhizome erect, cylindrical; roots fleshy, spreading; horizontal ones producing vegetative buds often resulting in large colonies. Fronds 1 or 2, 1.5–20 cm tall. Common stipe 5–70 mm long. Sterile lamina 8–35 (–75) mm long, 2–15 mm wide, fleshy, elliptic, ovate to obovate, acute, more rarely obtuse; base rounded to truncate or cuneate and gradually tapering to a common stipe; venation single, usually obscure; areoles variable, as long as wide or elongated. Sporophore 5–120 mm long, on a stipe 5–110 mm long; sterile tip rarely more than 1.5 mm long. 

Widespread and scattered across coastal and inland Australia. Also widespread in the Palaeotropics and Neotropics.

Terrestrial, usually in shallow soil on rock ledges exposed to full sun.

Readily cultivated in small pots and containers.

Ophioglossum lusitanicum is similar to Ophioglossum reticulatum but usually has a thicker lamina with obscure venation.