Adder's spear

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Adder's Tongue
• Adder's-Tongue
• Adder's-Tongue Fern
• English adder's-tongue
• southern adder's-tongue
• Common Adder's Tongue

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ophioglossum dudadae
• Ophioglossum mironovii
• Ophioglossum sabulicola
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. duplex
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. incisum
• Ophioglossum alpinum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. cuspidatum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum f. altissimum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum subsp. alpinum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. microstichum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. bifidum
• Ophioglossum ovatum var. mucronatum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum f. cuspidatum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum subsp. vulgatum
• Ophioglossum vulgatum var. minus
• Ophioglossum unifolium
• Ophioglossum microstichum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends further west to include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is documented inhabiting the territories of Norway. Together, these locations define its specific geographical range within the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ophioglossum vulgatum is characterized by its preference for forested environments, where it thrives within the shaded and moist conditions typical of these ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse topographical settings across a significant vertical gradient. Its elevational range begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends upward to a maximum altitude of 1950 m AMSL, demonstrating a high degree of adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures found across these different elevations.

Elevational range max:

1950 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Genetics

The genetics of Ophioglossum vulgatum are characterized by a specific chromosomal framework that underpins its reproductive and evolutionary stability. Central to its genomic profile is its ploidy level, which is defined as haploid, represented by the value $n$. This indicates that the gametic cells contain a single set of chromosomes, a fundamental aspect of its life cycle and genetic inheritance pattern. The determination of this ploidy level is critical for understanding the plant's ability to undergo meiosis and ensure the genetic diversity necessary for its survival in specific ecological niches. Such genetic parameters govern the complexity of its genome and provide the biological basis for its physiological traits and medicinal properties.

Ploidy :

n

Life history

The life history of Ophioglossum vulgatum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a cryptophyte, the plant protects its vital organs during unfavorable conditions, specifically adopting a geophyte life form where the essential parts of the organism are preserved underground. This strategy allows it to survive seasonal shifts by remaining dormant beneath the soil surface. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its above-ground structures as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ophioglossum vulgatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining entirely independent in its growth. It is a terrestrial organism, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.125 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ophioglossum vulgatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. Its leaf morphology is defined by a mean leaf size of 14.87 cm², and it possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 247.5 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between its leaf surface area and its dry mass density.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

14.87 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

247.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ophioglossum vulgatum is characterized by a specialized reproductive cycle that relies on abiotic mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in May and continues through July. During this stage, the plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically categorized as wind pollination, which facilitates the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a fruit classified under the "other" category rather than standard botanical types like berries or capsules. Furthermore, there is no evidence of asexual reproduction, meaning the plant relies exclusively on sexual processes for its propagation.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit type :

other

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ophioglossum vulgatum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Quercetin-3-O-methyl ether, Steroids, Tannins, dihydroquercetin.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Quercetin-3-O-methyl ether

1. Planta medica

Steroids

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Tannins

1. Frontiers in microbiology

dihydroquercetin

1. FEBS open bio

luteolin

1. FEBS open bio

ophioglonin

1. FEBS open bio

Medicinal Uses

Ophioglossum vulgatum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include burns, wound, wounds.

Most Reported Uses