Ophioglossum coriaceum
Common names
adder’s tongue
Biostatus
Native
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Ferns
Flower colours
No flowers
Detailed description
Rhizome erect, cylindrical, roots orange-brown, fleshy, spreading; horizontal ones producing vegetative buds often resulting in large colonies. Fronds 1–2–(4). Common stipe (usually ill-defined) 5–15 mm long. Sterile lamina 8–30–(90) mm long, 4–20 mm wide, fleshy, green to yellow-green, elliptic, ovate, obovate to rhomboid (rarely deltoid), acute or obtuse; base rounded, truncate, cuneate or gradually tapering into common stipe’ venation single, mostly obscure, sometimes prominently reticulate; areole variable, usually as long as wide, rarely wider than long or elongated. Sporophore 5–140 mm long; fertile portion 3–20 mm long, with 4–15–(24) pairs of sporangiae; sterile tip of sporophore 0.8–1.5 mm long (rarely more).
Similar taxa
Currently we follow Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000) in accepting the New Zealand plant as Ophioglossum coriaceum (cf. Chinnock 1998). In New Zealand O. coriaceum is most often confused with O. petiolatum. Both species in their typical states are easily distinguished; O. coriaceum is usually shorter (with sterile blades up to 90 mm long) and carrying fewer sporangia per sporophore (5–15 pairs) while O. petiolatum has a well defined petiole (common stipe), typical deltoid sterile lamina (up to 120 mm long × 50 mm wide), and a fertile lamina up to 200 mm long with the sporophore bearing 15–48 pairs of sporangia (see de Lange et al. 2010). However, numerous intermediates occur, suggestive of hybridisation between both species. Also O. coriaceum is cytologically variable and there is little doubt more than one taxon exists under the current circumscription. Ophioglossum are taxonomically difficult and in this respect the New Zealand species are no different – there is urgent need for a comprehensive, world-wide revision using DNA-based techniques as the main driver (see comments by de Lange & Rolfe 2010).
Distribution
Indigenous. New Zealand: Kermadec Islands (Raoul Island), North Island, South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Islands.
Also Australia and South America (in Australia plants are referred to O. lustanicum L. which has a wider distribution though North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia).
Habitat
Coastal to alpine. Throughout in mostly open or sparsely vegetated habitats including sand swales and dunes systems, grassland, forest clearings, lake, pond and river margins, peat bogs, fellfield, river flats, tuft associations and occasionally as a low epiphyte.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Not Threatened
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Synonyms
Ophioglossum lusitanicum subp. coriaceum (A.Cunn.) R.T.Clausen; Ophioglossum elongatum R.Cunn. ex A.Cunn.; Ophioglossum pedunculosum sensu Cheeseman
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
N.A.
Fruiting
N.A.
Propagation technique
Easily grown by the division of whole plants. Does best in a fertile soil kept permanently moist (but not saturated). Will tolerate full sun but does better in semi-shade. Intolerant of competition from taller faster-growing plants and very vulnerable to browsing by slugs and snails. This species makes an interesting and unusual pot plant.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FAC: Facultative
Commonly occurs as either a hydrophyte or non-hydrophyte (non-wetlands).
Other information
Etymology
ophioglossum: Snake’s tongue; from the Greek ophis and glossa; appearance of the fertile leaf
coriaceum: Leathery; from the Latin corium; texture of the leaves
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
OPHCOR
Chromosome number
2n = 240,700,700-720
Previous conservation statuses
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Regional conservation statuses
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Otago conservation status information is sourced from the “Regional conservation status of indigenous vascular plants in Otago” Jarvie S et al. (2024) report.
Otago: 2024 | Regionally Not Threatened
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Brownsey PJ, Smith-Dodsworth JC. 2000. New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants. David Bateman, Auckland, NZ. 168 pp.
Chinnock RJ. 1998. Ophioglossaceae. Flora of Australia 48, Ferns Gymnosperms and allied groups: 99-109. ABRS/CSIRO Victoria, Australia.
de Lange PJ, Heenan PB, Norton DA, Rolfe JR, Sawyer JWD. 2010. Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 471 pp.
de Lange PJ, Rolfe JR. 2010. New Zealand indigenous vascular plant checklist. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, Wellington, NZ. 131 pp.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (21 March 2011). Description adapted from Chinnock (1998) and Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000), and also based on herbarium specimens and measurements.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Ophioglossum coriaceum Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/ophioglossum-coriaceum/ (Date website was queried)