Bill's Botanical Forays

Ophioglossum pycnostichum (Southern Adders Tongue) is native to Southeastern North America. Some authors subsume this species under Ophioglossum vulgatum s.l. which is found in Europe and Asia. Even though it does not look like it, it is a type of a primitive fern.

 

 

The sporophore (the spore bearing spike) is said to resemble a snake’s tongue and thus the common name. It is found on the Refuge in moist area in mesic woods at several locations.

 

 

Flora of North America; Ophioglossum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1062. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 484, 1754.