Ontario Ferns website

Northern Adder's Tongue
Ophioglossum pusillum

Northern Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum pusillum) French names: Ophioglosse

Family: Adder's Tongue Family (Ophioglossaceae)

Distinctive features: Single leaf, single stalk. Very unfernlike.

Fronds: Undivided;  Single, undivided.

Height: 10-20 cm (4-8 in)

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Uncommon.

Notes: Easily overlooked.

Photographs: 7 photographs available, of which 4 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Northern Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum pusillum)

A single leaf, with the fertile stalk extending upwards.

Northern Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum pusillum)

The top of the fertile stalk. Sorry, no photo of the entire plant yet!

Northern Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum pusillum)

Herbarium specimen showing the whole plant.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Northern Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum pusillum)

Herbarium specimen showing the main leaf.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).