Adder's tongue
Ophioglossum nudicaule

Family: Ophioglossaceae

What it is like

A fern. It grows 8 cm tall. The rhizomes are small and with small tubers. The fronds are distinct. The sterile fronds are 2.5-7 cm long by 2-3.5 cm wide. They are narrow and oval. The fertile fronds are about 2.5 cm long.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical countries. In Nepal it grows to about 1800 m altitude. It grows in moist shady places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Guam, Himalayas, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nepal, Pacific, South America, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The young fronds are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fronds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from spores.

Its other names

Local names

Jibre sag

Synonyms

Ophioglossum luerssenii Prantl.; Ophioglossum vulgatum var. luerssenii (Prantl.) Domin; Ophioglossum vulgatum var. minutum F.M. Bail.;