Adder's tongue
Ophioglossum lusoafricanum
Family: Ophioglossaceae
What it is like
A herb. It is a fern. It keeps growing from year to year. The above ground parts die back. It has narrow rhizomes of underground stems 9-30 mm long. The leaves are usually single. The leaf blade is green and narrowly oval.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 150-2,100 m above sea level. It usually grows in mountain grasslands.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves, fronds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Sankunshane, Sankuntjane, Shucelane