Ophioglossum - Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum thomasii R.T. Clausen

Photo: JE. Burrows
Zambia

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Common name

Description

Rhizome minute, ellipsoid to spindle-shaped, 1–5 mm long, 1 mm wide; roots few, horizontal, fleshy, proliferous. Leaves usually 1 (rarely 2), almost flat on the ground. Petiole 2-7 mm long, completely subterranean, petiole bases not persistent, stipe:lamina lenght ratio 1-2.3:1. Sterile lamina minute, blue-green, becoming orange-yellow with age, oblanceolate to elliptic in outline, 1–8 × 0.3–2 mm, lenght:width ratio 1.5-2.5:1, apex rounded to broadly pointed, base attenuate, margins flat; venation simple, usually one median and two lateral veins. Fertile spike 1.5–5 cm long, fertile spike:lamina lenght ratio 6.5-11:1 with 2–7 pairs of sporangia, apex pointed.

Notes

It can be distinguished from other Ophioglossum species by its small size, the smaller sterile leaf and proportionately longer fertile spike.

Derivation

thomasii: probably named after H.N.Thomas, anthropologist and plant collector.

Habitat

Shallow soils in marsh or seasonally wet grasland, shallow peaty soils overlying granite or quartzite in seepage zones in deciduous woodland.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Benin, Cameroon, Dem. Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania , Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Terrestrial.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 47 - 48. (Includes a picture).
  • Burrows, J.E. & Johns, R.J. (2001) Ophioglossaceae. Flora of Tropical East Africa, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Pages 5 - 6. (Includes a picture).
  • Fisher E. & Lobin W. (2024) Checklist of Lycopodiopsida (clubmosses and quillworts) and Polypodiopsida (ferns) of Rwanda.Willdenowia, 53 Page 155.
  • Kornas, J. (1979) Distribution and ecology of the Pteridophytes in Zambia. Polska Akademia Nauk Wydzial II Nauk Biologicznych. Page 38.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 34.
  • 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 35.
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0 Page 35. (Includes a picture).
  • Thardieu-Blot, M.L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.8.Flore du Gabon, Page 31. (Includes a picture).
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