Ophioglossum - Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum latifolium (Prantl) J.E. Burrows

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: JE. Burrows
Zimbabwe

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Ophioglossum gomezianum A.Braun var. latifolium Prantl

Common name

Description

Rhizome spindle-shaped to linear, up to 16 mm long, 1–3 mm wide; roots fleshy, horizontal, sometimes also descending, proliferous; persistent leaf bases not present. Leaves 1 to 3. Petiole up to 28 mm long, 80–90% of its length subterranean, stipe:lamina lenght ratio 0.6-1.4:1. Sterile lamina 9-24 × 6-18 mm, bright green, appressed to, or held slightly off, the ground, broadly ovate, usually flat, sometimes slightly folded along the median line, length:width ratio 1.2–1.6:1, apex variable from rounded to pointed, base broadly wedge-shaped to truncate, margins flat and even. Fertile spike (33–)50–82(–103) mm long, fertile spike:lamina lenght ratio 2.92-5.62:1, with (8–)11–14(–19) pairs of sporangia.

Notes

Could be confused with O. rubellum that has a carrot-shaped rhizome and dark green leaves with an orange to reddish tinge.

Derivation

latifolium: broad-leaved

Habitat

In shallow seasonally moist soils overlaying sheetrock, and in deciduous woodland.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania , Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Terrestrial.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. & Johns, R.J. (2001) Ophioglossaceae. Flora of Tropical East Africa, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Pages 11 - 12. (Includes a picture).
  • Burrows, J.E. & Johns, R.J. (2001) Ophioglossaceae. Flora of Tropical East Africa, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Pages 11 - 12. (Includes a picture).
  • Burrows, J.E., Edwards, T.J. (1993) Nomenclatural changes and additions to the genus Ophioglossum in Africa (Ophioglossaceae: Pteridophyta).Bothalia, 23(2) Pages 188 - 189.
  • Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Pages 34 - 35.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 33.
  • Tardieu-Blot, M.-L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.3.Flore du Cameroun, Page 46.

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