Adder's tongue, Fern
Ophioglossum vulgatum
Family: Ophioglossaceae
What it is like
A fern. It has a short underground stem or rhizome. There is usually only one leaf.
There are about 30 Ophioglossum species. They grow in both tropical and temperate regions. This one is used for medicine.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in damp spots on rocky outcrops between 820-1,830 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows below 300 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Britain, Chile, China, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, India, Korea, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North Africa, Reunion, Slovenia, Southern Africa, Spain, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, fronds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Anatsofikely, Gu-gu-meng, Sofitoha, Tokantsofina