Family: Ophioglossaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1062 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ophioglossum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. & Subtrop. Northern Hemisphere, Africa, S. South America
Description
Adder’s-tongue, scientifically known as Ophioglossum vulgatum, is an intriguing and unique species that belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family. First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has captivated naturalists and botanists alike with its distinctive features and wide distribution.
The adder’s-tongue can be found in a diverse range of environments across the temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from Europe to Asia, and is also present in parts of Africa and southern regions of South America. This extensive geographical range underscores its adaptability to various climates and soil conditions, making it a subject of interest for those studying plant ecology and distribution.
A notable characteristic of Ophioglossum vulgatum is its appearance; it comprises a single leaf that rises from the ground, resembling a green tongue, hence its common name. This solitary leaf is split into two segments – a sterile segment, which is broad and flat, and a fertile segment, which bears the spore-producing structures. This distinct morphology is part of what makes the adder’s-tongue so identifiable and fascinating.
Ecologically, adder’s-tongue plays a role in the habitats it occupies, often thriving in moist, shaded environments such as meadows, woodland edges, and grasslands. Its presence can be an indicator of certain soil and environmental conditions, providing insights into the health and characteristics of these ecosystems.
Overall, the adder’s-tongue or Ophioglossum vulgatum is a plant of significant interest due to its unique morphological features, broad distribution, and ecological value. Its study offers valuable information regarding plant diversity, adaptation, and the ecological dynamics of the regions it inhabits.
Common Names
Eng: adder’s-tongue, english adder’s-tongue, southern adder’s-tongue, southern adderstongue, adder’s tongue, adder’s-tongue fern
Deu: gewöhnliche natternzunge, natterzunge
Dan: slangetunge
Nld: addertong, gewone addertong
Fra: herbe sans couture, ophioglosse vulgaire
Swe: ormtunga
Sme: gearbmašnjuovčča
Cym: gwaew crist, gwayw crist, tafod y neidr
Gla: lus na teanga
Nob: ormetunge
Nno: ormetunge
En: Adder’s-tongue, English adder’s-tongue, Southern adder’s-tongue, Southern adderstongue, Christ’s Spear, Serpent’s Tongue, Adder’s Tongue, Adder’s-Tongue Fern, Common Adder’s-tongue
Hy: Իժալեզու սովորական
Be: Вужоўнік звычайны
Bg: Обикновен змийски език
Ca: Llengua de serp, Llança de Crist
Zh: 瓶尔小草
Kw: Taves an nader
Hr: Ljetni jednolist
Cs: Hadilka obecná
Da: Slangetunge
Nl: Gewone addertong, Addertong
Et: Harilik maokeel
Fi: Isokäärmeenkieli, Käärmeenkieli
Fr: Herbe sans couture, Ophioglosse vulgaire, Ophioglosse commun, Ophioglosse des Alpes, Ophioglosse langue-de-serpent, Ophioglosse répandu, Langue de serpent
De: Gewöhnliche Natternzunge, Natterzunge
Hu: Közönséges kígyónyelv
Ga: Lus na teanga
It: Ofioglosso comune
Ja: Hiroha-hanayasuri
Lt: Vienalapė driežlielė
Se: Gearbmašnjuovčča
No: Ormetunge
Nb: Ormetunge
Nn: Ormetunge
Fa: مارزبان (گیاه)
Pl: Nasięźrzał pospolity
Ru: Ужовник обыкновенный
Gd: Lus na teanga
Sk: Hadivka obyčajná
Es: Lengua de serpiente, Lengua serpentina
Sv: Ormtunga
Zh-tw: 瓶爾小草
Tk: Adaty užownik
Uk: Вужачка звичайна
Cy: Tafod y neidr, Gwaew Crist, Gwayw Crist
Synonyms
- Ophioglossum vulgatum var. typicum (Wherry)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chile South (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Denmark (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Free State (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken May 9, 2019 by Bigand Mathieu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 1, 2018 by Mariella Van Gemeren (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 25, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2019 by môrice (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 7, 2021 by Albert Mallol Camprubí (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2016 by Txomin Millet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pauline GUILLAUMEAU (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pauline GUILLAUMEAU (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2022 by samet samet (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pauline GUILLAUMEAU (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jun 4, 2019 by Adrien Nicod (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 1873 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 1905 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 1870 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 12, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 14, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Christophe BERNIER (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 19, 2000 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jun 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2650133)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304390-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ophioglossum vulgatum L.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]
Soil nutriments: 2
Soil salinity: 1