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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ophioglossum vulgatum is a FERN growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The seeds ripen from May to August.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Used as a vegetable[145]. No more details are given.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic Skin Vulnerary

The root and the leaves are antiseptic, detergent, emetic, haemostatic, styptic and vulnerary[4, 61, 218]. An ointment made from the plant is considered to be a good remedy for wounds and is also used in the treatment of skin ulcers[4, 145]. The expressed juice of the leaves is drunk as a treatment for internal bleeding and bruising[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist free-draining soil[1]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. The prothalli (a small plant formed when the spore germinates) of this species form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus in much the same way as orchid seedlings[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Plants can be hard to establish, they can be naturalized in a meadow or cultivated in the border where they should be left undisturbed[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep them in humid conditions until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old. Division of underground rhizomes with care because the roots are brittle[200]

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation (Kamcatskij kraj), China (Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng), Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (northwest), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas), Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora, Chiapas, Ciudad de México, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán de Ocampo, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Russian Federation (Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria (north), Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Gabon, Côte D‘Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Cape Province, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Transvaal)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Ophioglossum reticulatum	Adder's tongue fern	Fern	0.2	10-12	M	LM	SN	MWe	4	2	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Ophioglossum vulgatum - L.