Net-Veined Adder's Tongue

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Net-Veined Adder's Tongue
• stalked adder's-tongue

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ophioglossum moluccanum f. dilatatum
• Ophioglossum cordifolium
• Ophioglossum cumingianum
• Ophioglossum holm-nielsenii
• Ophioglossum obovatum
• Ophioglossum pedunculatum
• Ophioglossum peruvianum
• Ophioglossum raciborskii
• Ophioglossum ramosii
• Ophioglossum reticulatum var. acutius
• Ophioglossum reticulatum var. polyangium
• Ophioglossum timorense
• Ophioglossum usterianum
• Ophioglossum cognatum
• Ophioglossum reticulatum f. dilatatum
• Ophioglossum chaloneri
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. reticulatum
• Ophioglossum aletum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. minutum
• Ophioglossum austroasiaticum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Ophioglossidae and the order Ophioglossales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ophioglossaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Ophioglossum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across both Macaronesia and West Tropical Africa. Within the Macaronesian region, its presence is documented in the archipelagos of Cape Verde and Madeira. Moving toward the African mainland, it can be found throughout various parts of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, the species inhabits the territories of Ghana and Guinea. Additionally, its range extends further south to include the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ophioglossum reticulatum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species can be found inhabiting a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and the Cerrado (latu sensu) to more densely forested environments such as riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), and ombrophilous or rain forests (Floresta Ombrófila). Its ability to persist in these varied habitats suggests a flexible niche requirement, allowing it to thrive in both disturbed landscapes and stable, high-moisture forest systems. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a vast elevational range, occurring at altitudes starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 3850 m AMSL, demonstrating significant resilience to varying temperature gradients and atmospheric pressures.

Elevational range max:

3850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Ophioglossum reticulatum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically utilizing a geophyte life form where the essential regenerative organs are located underground to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its above-ground structures periodically as part of its seasonal growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ophioglossum reticulatum is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically classified as a herb and a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not function as a liana or vine, and it maintains an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small species with a plant height that typically reaches a mean of 0.2 m, though individual specimens can vary in size ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.2 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ophioglossum reticulatum is characterized by a specific leaf morphology and metabolic framework adapted to its ecological niche. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy production efficiency. Its foliage is notably narrow and linear, with leaf widths ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm. The leaves can extend to a maximum length of 15 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on external nitrogen availability in its substrate.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ophioglossum reticulatum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pedunculosumoside A, Pedunculosumoside B, Pedunculosumoside C, Pedunculosumoside D, Pedunculosumoside E.

Pedunculosumoside A

1. Journal of natural products

Pedunculosumoside B

1. Journal of natural products

Pedunculosumoside C

1. Journal of natural products

Pedunculosumoside D

1. Journal of natural products

Pedunculosumoside E

1. Journal of natural products

Pedunculosumoside F

1. Journal of natural products

Pedunculosumoside G

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Ophioglossum reticulatum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts of the whole plant.

Ethanolic extracts of the whole plant

1. Journal of natural products