southern adder's-tongue
ExplorePlants
southern adder's-tongue
Ophioglossum vulgatum
The southern adder's-tongue is a unique fern with long, slender leaves that look like a tongue! It grows in damp places and can be found in forests and meadows.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The southern adder's-tongue is a small, usually solitary fern with a smooth, oval-shaped sterile leaf blade. From its base emerges a distinct, slender fertile stalk topped with spore-bearing segments, resembling a tiny green snake's tongue. It's often found hidden among grasses.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderOphioglossalesFamilyOphioglossaceaeGenusOphioglossum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
It's sometimes called "moonwort" in some regions, due to its rounded leaf shape!
Its name comes from its fertile spike, looking just like a snake's flickering tongue!
People once used this fern in traditional medicine to make healing salves for wounds!
This ancient plant is considered one of the oldest types of ferns on Earth!
Special abilities
Ability
Spores for Spreading
southern adder's-tongue can release tiny spores, not seeds, that float away to grow new plants.
Ability
Hidden Life
southern adder's-tongue can spend years hidden underground as a root, emerging only when conditions are perfect.
Ability
Chromosome Champion
southern adder's-tongue has an astonishingly high number of chromosomes, more than most other living things!
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 5-10 cm
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
European black slug
Arion ater
Slugs may graze on its leaves.
eaten by
white-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
White-tailed deer can browse its foliage.
symbiotic with
mycorrhizal fungus
Rhizophagus irregularis
Forms beneficial partnership for nutrients.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Grass-Like
Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants, as some can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify southern adder's-tongue?
The easiest way to identify southern adder's-tongue is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is southern adder's-tongue?
10-30 cm
How wide does southern adder's-tongue spread?
5-10 cm
Is southern adder's-tongue edible?
Yes
Is southern adder's-tongue toxic?
None
What is southern adder's-tongue's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is southern adder's-tongue usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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