Species

Ophioglossum convexum J.E. Burrows

Synonyms
Common name
Description	Rhizome linear, sometimes with persistent leaf bases; roots horizontal. Leaves up to 2 but mostly 1, appressed to the ground or held at 30° from the horizontal, dull midgreen in colour. Petiole up to 2.5 cm long, subterranean for most of its length. Sterile lamina 10-13 × 6-10 mm, ovate to broadly ovate in outline, apex pointed to rounded with a short mucro, base broadly wedge-shaped to truncate; fertile segment 3-10 cm long, inserted at or just below the base of the lamina. Sporangia 6-15 pairs.
Notes	Could be mistaken for O. rubellum which usually has 2 leaves that are held at 10-20° of the ground and have a concave (not convex) upper surface. O. rubellum has dark green leaves with an orange to reddish tinge.
Derivation	convexum: convex, the leaves have a curved appearance when viewed from above.
Habitat	Montane grassland, on shallow, sandy soils or reddish, sandy loams in high rainfall areas.
Distribution worldwide	Africa, Madagascar.
Distribution in Africa	Malawi , South Africa , Zambia , Zimbabwe .
Growth form	Terrestrial.
Literature	Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 42 - 43. (Includes a picture). Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature. Pages 114 - 115. (Includes a picture). Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Page 33. Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 32.