Adder's tongue
Ophioglossum lusitanicum

Family: Ophioglossaceae

What it is like

A very small fern. It grows from a tuber or underground rhizome. It grows 5-15 cm high. There are one or two leaves at the base and a slender stalk or frond from the tuber. This is divided and one part is a fertile frond while the other is an infertile frond. The fronds are 12 mm-12 cm high. The infertile frond is like a leaf half way down the stalk. this can be 5 cm long. The tuber is edible.

There are about 30 Ophioglossum species. They grow in both tropical and temperate regions.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in grassland throughout New Zealand. It can grow up to 1200 or 1500 m altitude. It can survive harsh conditions including fire and flood. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The tuber is eaten after roasting.

Edible parts

Tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ophioglossum vulgatum var. lanceolatum Luerss.; Ophioglossum vulgatum var. lusitanicum (L.) Hook.; Ophioglossum coriaceum A. Cunn.; Ophiolgossum lusitanicum var. coriaceum (A. Cunn.) Clausen; Ophioglossum prantlii C.Chr.; Ophioglossum vulgatum var prantlii (C.Chr.)W.R.B.Oliv.;