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Ophioglossum nudicaule L.f.
| Family Name: | Ophioglossaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ophioglossum pedunculosum Desv. |
| Common Name: | Adder's Tongue Fern |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 cm to 8 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Cape Provinces |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Data Deficient (DD)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a fern which grows horizontally at ground level, between 3 to 8 cm tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its leaves are variable in shape and size, with the blade usually egg-shaped and bluntly pointed, and 3–4 cm by 2 cm. |
| Stems | The rhizomes are erect and thick, with numerous fibrous roots. |
| Habitat | It grows in impermeable soil in open places, by culverts on roadsides in the hills and mountains. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by spores. |
| Etymology | Greek Ophis, a snake; Greek glossa, tongue, referring to the slender fertile spike bearing the sporangia in this genus; Latin nudicaulis, naked stem, leafless |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Shallow Media |
| Propagation Method | Spore |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 262 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1558 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
