Least adder's-tongue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Least adder's-tongue |
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| Conservation status | |
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Ophioglossum
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| Species: |
lusitanicum
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The least adder's-tongue (scientific name: Ophioglossum lusitanicum) is a very small fern. It belongs to the Ophioglossaceae family. This fern is found in many warm parts of the world. The IUCN says it is a species of "least concern." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
About the Least Adder's-Tongue
The least adder's-tongue is a tiny fern that grows every winter. It has two main parts. One part is a simple, flat leaf. The other part is a spike-like stem. This stem holds its spore cases, which are called sporangia. There are usually three to eight sunken sporangia on each side of the spike. The entire plant is usually no taller than 2 centimeters (less than an inch).
Where This Fern Lives
The least adder's-tongue grows in many places around the world. It is found near the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. This includes countries like Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, and France. It also lives in the Mediterranean region. You can find it in the Caucasus Region, India, and Vietnam.
In Britain, this fern is very rare. It grows in only one small area. This area is a coastal heath on St Agnes in the Isles of Scilly. A person named John Raven first found it there in 1950. It grows in short grass on Wingletang Down. Some groups of these ferns are having trouble. Other plants like grasses, gorse (Ulex europaeus), and bramble (Rubus fruticosus) are growing too much. These plants compete with the fern for space and sunlight.
Because it is so rare, the least adder's-tongue is protected. It is listed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. Its habitat is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the area is special for its wildlife and is protected by law.
In places like Australia and South America, there is a different type of this fern. It is a subspecies called Ophioglossum lusitanicum subsp. coriaceum.
How It Grows and Survives
Since this fern grows in winter, it needs a warm winter environment. In Britain, it likes thin, peaty soils. It also prefers sunny spots that face south.
The subspecies Ophioglossum lusitanicum subsp. coriaceum can grow in more different places. In southern Australia, it lives in damp, open areas. These can be coastal meadows or even alpine grasslands. It is found in states like New South Wales, Tasmania, and Queensland.
See also
In Spanish: Ophioglossum lusitanicum para niños
