Ophioglossum polyphyllum
Taxon biology 4
Adder's tongue doesn't look much like a fern. It is made up of a single leaf and a stem-like stalk, which carries the spores. The spore-bearing stalk resembles the tongue of a snake, which is where the name comes from. When the stalk is mature, it extends beyond the leaf blade. The stalk is made up of segments, between 10-40 on each side. In some years, no stalk and therefore no spores are formed. Just like mushrooms, the plant itself is underground and often produces a leaf. But years can go by when no leaf is seen.
Sources and Credits
- (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/JCS%20Ophioglossum%20vulgatum%2044693.jpg
- (c) licensed media from TrekNature DwCA without owner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.treknature.com/viewphotos.php?l=3&p=282206
- (c) licensed media from TrekNature DwCA without owner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.treknature.com/viewphotos.php?l=3&p=282032
- (c) Copyright Ecomare, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/22757668
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- African Plants - a photo guide
- Atlas of Living Australia
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- eFloras.org
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
- IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
- SEINet Symbiota portals
- Tropicos
- USDA PLANTS database
- World Flora Online
