Ophioglossum lusitanicum

803_5950 [Ophioglossum lusitanicum]

 

Ophioglossum lusitanicum is a rare, winter, annual fern

growing in most Mediterranean countries

and elsewhere throughout the world.

 

In Greece, it can be found in NE, in Central Mainland, in Peloponnese and in the Aegean islands

on heights from 50 to 800m.

 

It is very low, usually about 4cm, and difficult to spot.

 

803_5967 [Ophioglossum lusitanicum]

The plant’s sporangia, about 2cm long, attached on their respective stalks.

 

Their shape looks like a snake’s tongue;

a fact that justifies the plant’s name ‘Ophioglossum’

which comes from the Greek words όφις + γλώσσα [= snake + tongue].

 

The pictures were taken in Lavrio area on Feb 4, 2020.

 

803_5967 [Ophioglossum lusitanicum]

Focus on details of the plant’s sporangia

 

 

DSCN3623 [Ophioglossum lusitanicum]

 

Two friends are waiting for their turn to take a picture of Ophioglossum.

The third one had spotted the plant first, so she is rightfully taking the picture first!

Her body position on the ground indicates

the difficulty of compositing the picture of a tiny plant on the ground.